Miles woke to the sensation of movement and couldn’t figure out what was going on at first. Then he realized that they must’ve started on their way out of the city and gave a deep sigh of relief. The sooner they got away from that place and the more distance there was between them and the last point of Alliance contact, the better he would feel. Pushing upright, he found Tony still out like a light and smiled at the sight of his lover. He looked better. Sweat no longer dotted his face or soaked his shirt. The restless, pinched expression of pain had faded, even if it lingered.
And then he noticed Stephen sleeping on the other side of Tony and gaped in shock. The blond man lay flat on his back with only a pillow beneath his head, which was why Miles hadn’t seen him at first. Worry rose instantly and he looked around for someone to ask questions of. Not seeing anyone, but not wanting to call out and possibly wake Stephen or Tony, Miles tentatively flexed his leg and gasped in pain.
“Don’t even think about it,” Jethro ordered softly.
Looking back at the seat, Miles found Jethro sitting there, looking over the top of it. He gestured at Stephen and asked, “What happened? Is he okay?”
Jethro told him, “He’s got short-term amnesia from his concussion and a fall from the Hummer.”
There was something missing from that explanation, Miles could tell from how Jethro didn’t quite meet his gaze, but he didn’t press. “He’s okay otherwise?”
Nodding, Jethro said, “Natalie wanted him to rest.”
“Good plan,” Miles confirmed. “I’m surprised he did, though.”
Jethro shrugged and said, “I might have pointed out that he’d be no good to anyone dead on his feet.”
“How long have we been on the road?”
“Three hours.”
Startled, Miles repeated, “Three hours?”
“We’re not stopping until we hit Vegas, other than pit-stops,” Jethro stated.
Miles sighed in relief at the news, glad to hear it. The sooner they got where they were going, the better everything would be.
Jethro half-smiled at his sigh and warned, “It’s not all good news. We found out from the paperwork that there’s a team waiting for us there. We took a vote and decided to keep going.”
“A vote Tony and I weren’t part of!” Miles exclaimed. Miles held his breath when Tony mumbled and stirred in his sleep, but their other lover didn’t wake. Lowering his voice, he continued, “We should have been involved.”
Jethro pointed out, “There wasn’t time.”
Stubborn, Miles retorted, “You should have made time.”
“We could have. We also could
have said hello to the next team the
Miles flinched at Jethro’s matter-of-fact tone.
“Miles, we couldn’t wait,” Jethro finished in a softer voice.
Sighing, Miles met his gaze and said, “No, I guess not. So, how much longer until we get to Vegas?”
“Another fifteen hours, give or take. It’s slower going at night.”
Which Miles knew from personal experience driving in the dark. Looking back at the other man, Miles asked, “Do we know exactly what’s waiting for us?”
“Not specifically, but probably another five man team. They’ll have gotten to the city and settled in already, learning who’s who and what’s what. Might even have made an alliance with a local heavyweight by the time we get there.”
Stomach twisting with worry and nerves, Miles muttered, “Don’t sugarcoat it or anything.”
“We’re going to be fine, Miles,” Jethro promised.
He sounded so sure that Miles could almost, but not quite, believe him. He also knew from firsthand experience that if something seemed dangerous, it probably was and happy endings didn’t generally happen. Life was short and violent and anyone who said different, lied.
“It’s going to be fine, Miles, I promise.”
Jethro’s voice was a lot closer than it had been and Miles jumped, startled at finding his lover right there. Craning around again, he found the other man settling down behind him, legs stretching out to both sides of Miles. Arms wound firmly about his waist and Jethro tugged him back so that he rested on the other man. Held like that, feeling the warm strength in his lover’s body, he relaxed a little.
Nuzzling at his throat, Jethro promised softly, “We’re going to get that life that Stephen promised you, Miles. It’ll be you, me, Tony, and Stephen together and we’ll be able to be open and not care about what anyone else thinks. No more hiding and no more fear.”
Miles half-turned in the embrace so he could press his face to his lover’s chest, needing the other man’s certainty. Everything seemed so nebulous right then that the simple contact of body to body reassured him as words couldn’t. The power in his lover’s body, all of them really, served as a reminder that he was loved and protected in a way he’d never before been in his life.
Jethro kissed the top of his head and urged, “Get some more sleep, Stringbean. It’s going to be a long trip.”
The familiar annoyance at the hated nick-name didn’t rise, probably because he was too grateful that all his lovers were safe, if not completely sound, but Miles kept up appearances and poked Jethro in the side. “Don’t call me that.”
Chuckling, Jethro replied, “Sure thing, Stringbean.”
Miles huffed, but merely wrapped his own arms around Jethro and sighed deeply, content for the moment that he was where he was meant to be. Sleep was a long time coming, but aided by the gentle rise and fall of his lover’s chest and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear.
* * * *
The next time Miles woke, it was to the throbbing of his leg and muted agony. The pain pills had definitely worn off and he groaned, his fingers clenching in Jethro’s shirt.
“Miles? What’s wrong?” Jethro asked instantly, sounding sleeping.
Miles’ eyes opened and he gasped, “My leg is killing me.”
“Okay, hang on and let me get you something.”
Miles bit his lip to keep from crying out when Jethro shifted out from under him, unable to completely repress a pained noise from escaping. He watched as Jethro reached into one of the open boxes to come out with a pill bottle and then another to come back with a bottle of water. He couldn’t help smiling when the other man held the pill bottle out as far as his arm would go, trying to read the instructions.
“Just give me one,” Miles told him.
Jethro snorted. “I’m trying to make sure you don’t wind up with laxatives instead of painkillers.”
Chuckling in spite of the pain, Miles held out a hand, amused by the other man’s grumpy expression as he turned over the bottle. He checked the label and took one of the large pills out.
“Shouldn’t you have two? Tony and Stephen both had two,” Jethro informed him.
“He’s too damn skinny,” Stephen said in a sleep-rough voice. “He’d be comatose with that kind of dosage.”
Thrilled that he’d finally woken, Miles looked over to find Stephen sitting upright, even if holding his head. “Stephen!”
Giving him a wan smile, Stephen greeted, “Morning, Miles. How’s the leg?”
“Should be fine in about ten minutes,” Miles answered, as Jethro handed over the water bottle, too. He washed down the pill and grimaced at the nasty taste. “How’s your head?”
Stephen looked at Jethro as he said, “Sore, but in one piece again.”
Miles looked from one to the other and knew something passed between the older men, but not what.
“Glad to hear it,” Jethro replied mildly.
Uh oh, Miles thought. That’s
never good, from what Tony says.
Something about a Rule whose number he couldn’t remember. That Gibbs, as Tony and his team called Jethro, was at his most dangerous when he was quiet. Hoping to put an end to whatever hostilities might break out, Miles asked, “Should we wake Tony, or just empty his bag?”
Diverted, Stephen immediately glanced down at Tony and palmed his forehead. “Fever’s down, but still there. When was the last time he was awake?”
“Natalie gave him his last sedative two hours ago,” Jethro answered.
Surprised that he’d slept through something like that, even healing as he was, Miles wondered what else he might have missed.
Stephen finally said, “We’ll just empty the bag for now. He needs the rest.”
“I’ll do it,” Jethro offered. “You both need to rest, too, and I’m used to it now.”
Miles watched him do it with efficient movements and then turned his gaze on Stephen, also watching Jethro at his task. There was something strained between them, something that kept Jethro’s actions efficient but lacking in the grace Miles had come to expect. Something that made sure Jethro didn’t look anywhere near Stephen.
Wishing that he was Tony, that he could just say something witty and make everything all right, Miles finally just asked, “How much longer ‘til Vegas?”
“About ten hours, maybe less now that it’s light,” Jethro answered.
As if in response to his words, the van put on more speed, the engine humming a little harder, the vibrations rising beneath Miles. Stephen got to his feet and gave Miles a reassuring smile before climbing over the back seat to talk to whoever drove. When he looked back at Jethro, it was to find him staring forward, likely at Stephen. A brief, pained expression flit across his face, but before Miles could do or say anything, Jethro had turned to dispose of the filled bag.
Sighing, Miles lay back down. It wasn’t like he’d be able to get anything out of either man. All he could do was let the drugs work and go back to sleep. Maybe his leg would heal faster and then he’d be able to do something.
* * * *
When Stephen caught Jethro’s arm at the second rest stop, Jethro knew he had nowhere to run. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to, but he sure as hell didn’t want to have a conversation about the feelings and insecurities that had caused him to push Stephen from the Hummer. Not then, or at any time in the future. The only thing that happened in those kinds of discussions was he wound up battered and bruised on the inside.
“We need to talk.”
Jethro grimaced, but nodded and motioned away from the van. They walked a good distance away and no one commented, even though he felt plenty of eyes on them. It had apparently spread fast at their last stop that they were having some kind of fight.
God, he hated scuttlebutt.
“I’m sorry.”
Startled, Jethro finally looked at Stephen and found those pale, pale eyes held nothing but sincerity.
Stephen continued, “I knew it was an important piece of information and I should have gone to you with it when we first got together, but…it sounds stupid now, but I didn’t want to scare you off. Miles and Tony had just clicked so well and I’d never seen him so relaxed around anyone near his own age. And I didn’t want to spoil that so I didn’t say anything. Then, when we really got involved, it seemed easier to just keep it to myself. I knew it wouldn’t scare you off or anything, I do know you better than that, but it was like…it was too late at that point, you know?”
Jethro did know. He’d lost more than one relationship over the years, hell, all three of his marriages had gone to the dogs because of secrets revealed on top of his sparkling personality.
“But I swear, I never thought it would have bearing on this. It never occurred to me that they would spend more energy on bringing me back just because of that. There are so many scientists working on a cure. I’m just a cog in the machine,” Stephen finished.
Knowing that he wasn’t entirely blameless in the whole thing, Jethro put a hand on Stephen’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’re not just a cog, Stephen, that’s the problem. You’re brilliant and you know it. It’s what you’ve been your whole life and that’s fine. It’s great, even. Just…let me in a little, okay? I can’t protect against things I don’t know are coming.”
Arms folding over his chest, Stephen nodded, looking haunted as he replied, “I still can’t believe…women and children? How can they?”
Jethro used his hold to draw Stephen close for a brief, tight hug. They didn’t have time for more, unfortunately, so he didn’t even try for a kiss. “Come on. Let’s take care of business and then head back. Another couple of hours and we should be there.”
Stephen flashed him a brief grin and pointed out, “We don’t have enough time to take care of business, but I definitely have to piss.”
Jethro restrained himself from smacking the other man in the back of the head, not wanting to aggravate the concussion.
It was a close thing, though.
* * * *
Tony struggled up through a sluggish sensation that wasn’t quite sleep. His mouth tasted like something had died in it and he made a face as he blinked away the crud in his eyes.
“Hey, let me get that,” Miles said softly.
Gentle fingers brushed away the sleep from Tony’s eyes, followed by a damp cloth. When he opened them, he found the other man looking down at him with a smile. He offered a brief smile and rasped, “Water?”
Miles nodded and picked up a bottle within easy reach, holding it for Tony to drink from in small sips.
“I really need to brush my teeth,” Tony informed him.
Miles grinned and replied, “We’ve been polite in not mentioning your breath until now.”
Making a face at him, Tony retorted, “Well if you’d let me get off my back…wait, that didn’t come out right.”
Miles laughed at that and planted a big kiss on Tony’s mouth, bad breath and all. When he pulled back, he said, “It’s good to see you back to normal.”
“Or what passes for normal with DiNozzo,” Kate observed smartly.
Tony craned his head back to see Kate smirking at him over the back of the seat. “What happened to you?”
Rolling her eyes, Kate answered, “I got shot.”
“
Miles recounted, “We got shot
at by some people with a blockade and then Stephen flipped the Rover when an
Eyebrows rising, Tony guessed, “So, I missed a lot then?”
“Enough,” Miles replied. “I’m just as happy that you were out of it.”
Kate snorted. “Are you kidding? He’s the second best shot we have. We could’ve used him.”
Miles gaped at him and demanded, “You are?”
Tony flushed a little, glaring at Kate before he amended, “Well, I’m not bad. I’ve got good eyes.”
Kate made a rude noise before turning away and sitting down properly.
Miles snickered and said, “I think you annoyed her.”
“Oh no. Trust me, if Kate’s really annoyed, you’ll know it,” Tony promised wryly. “How’re Stephen and Gibbs?”
“Better,” Miles replied, brushing his fingers through Tony’s hair.
Frowning, Tony repeated, “Better? What happened?”
Miles sighed. “I don’t know exactly, they won’t say. I just know they had a fight of some kind. They seem to have made up, though, so I guess it’s okay.”
“Where are they?” Tony questioned.
“Stephen’s in the Hummer and Jethro’s in the other van,” Miles answered.
Eyebrows lifting again in surprise, Tony echoed, “Hummer? When did we get a hummer?”
Miles chuckled and reminded, “You missed a lot.”
“I guess so,” Tony agreed, nonplused.
Natalie popped her head over the seat and greeted, “Ready for me to poke around and see how you’re doing?”
Tony muttered, “Oh absolutely.”
“If you’re good, you’ll get a lollipop,” she teased, climbing over the seat.
The next several minutes were painful, but not agony, which Tony would take as improvement.
She cleaned the wound and rebandaged it before saying, “Very good. It’s healing nicely now. I think we can dispense with the sedatives.”
“And the catheter?” Tony asked hopefully.
Natalie shook her head. “Sorry, but I want one more day of you not moving around at all. We’ll take it out tomorrow, I promise.”
He heaved a sigh, but wasn’t really surprised. All things considered, he knew that he was damn lucky to be alive. He would sure as hell take it over the alternative. He flashed her a grin and asked impudently, “Where’s my lollipop?”
Ruffling his hair, Natalie told him, “As soon as I don’t have to worry about what you eat, you can have one.”
“Well that’s not fair. You’re a tease,” Tony mock-complained.
She laughed softly before turning to Miles with, “Your turn, mister.”
Tony watched as she cut away the bandage and then wished he hadn’t upon seeing the ugly red scab in the middle of Miles’ thigh. His gaze flickered to Miles’ face, taut with pain, and he reached out to hold his hand, lacing their fingers together. Brown eyes met his with surprise, but a grateful expression surfaced almost immediately and Miles squeezed his hand, holding on until after Natalie had put on a new bandage.
Distracting him, Tony said, “You know, we should paint the van white and put a big ole red cross on it. Or maybe christen it the invalid’s ambulance. Although, that could be redundant, right? Because if you’re an invalid, you’re probably going to need an ambulance and, unless you’re driving it, chances are if you’re in an ambulance, you’re an invalid. Right?”
Miles blinked at him. “What was the original question?”
“Never mind,” Tony replied. “All done, Nat?”
She grinned at him and nodded. “Thank you, Nurse DiNozzo.”
Kate chortled from the front
part of the van and Tony groaned, thinking, Damnit! That nick-name is
totally going to stick, I can just tell.
* * * *
They were about an hour outside of Vegas when the rear van came to a sudden stop. Jethro nearly hit the windshield, it happened so fast. As it was, his seatbelt slammed him back in his seat and he took a few seconds to catch his breath. Once he did, he called out, “Everyone okay?”
“We’re good, Gibbs,” Frank called from behind.
Abby echoed, “All present and accounted for!”
Snorting, Jethro looked over at Gerald and ordered, “Radio the others to come back.”
Gerald nodded and pulled the walkie-talkie out of the glove compartment, climbing out of the van. Jethro did the same and cracked his neck and back as he felt the strain of driving the last five hours. He walked to the front of the van just as Gerald opened the hood. A split second before the black man’s hand reached for the clasp, Jethro shouted, “Gerald, wait!”
It was too late, though. Steam hissed through the opening to burn Gerald’s hand. He stumbled back, clutching his hand and shouting in pain. Jethro grabbed him around the waist and clamped a hand around the non-burnt portion of Gerald’s arm, making sure he didn’t do anything to it. Frank appeared on the other side of Gerald, holding onto the younger man’s unburned hand and supporting him as they lowered him to the pavement.
Naturally, all the medical
types are in the other vehicles, he thought angrily. Stupid, stupid,
stupid!
Out loud, he comforted, “It’s going to be okay, Gerald, just hang in there. Ducky’ll be here in no time.”
Gerald’s face was a rictus of pain, but he didn’t make any noise, biting his lip bloody as he panted harshly through his nose.
It seemed to take forever before the other van and the Hummer returned, even though Jethro heard Abby calling for help and he heard the screech of tires as they skidded to a stop. By that time, horrible blisters had formed over the dark hand, the skin burned in a way Jethro had only seen a couple of times in his life.
“What do we have?” Stephen demanded, pushing Jethro aside.
Jethro answered shortly, “The radiator blew.”
Stephen gave Gerald a smile as he said, “I’m going to have to stitch that lip of yours, too, huh? Try to relax for me, okay, Gerald? We’re going to give you something for the pain. Natalie?”
Jethro watched them work, efficient and in synch, as they always were. It was comforting and, on a personal level, made him envious that they never seemed to have that same kind of tacit communication. Dismissing the thoughts as unworthy of the situation, Jethro spotted Ducky rushing to them and moved to intercept him. Taking his friend’s arm, he ordered, “Let them work, Ducky. They’ve got it under control.”
“I can see that, Jethro,” Ducky bit out. “Release me this instant!”
Jethro instantly took his hands away, never quite having heard that level of venom in the other man’s voice before. He walked away from the group to look out over the desert. It was something he’d seen a few times in his life, all before the first plague outbreak, but still took his breath away. The sheer endlessness of it, like the ocean, showed him a kind of eternity that few things could.
And then he spotted someone out in the desert walking towards them. Frowning, he pulled one of his pistols free and watched as the person came closer.
“Gibbs? What is it?” Ziva questioned, coming up to him.
Jethro nodded towards the visitor and answered, “Don’t know yet.”
It was only about ten minutes before he made out a lone man coming at them. During that time, Jethro glanced between the newcomer and the work Ducky and Frank did on the broken van. Ziva kept silent watch beside him as they waited, which he appreciated. Most people found it difficult just to watch and wait, but Ziva knew the value of silence.
Once the man was in true visual range, Jethro saw that he carried a small bag over his shoulder and wore a straw hat, but had no apparent weapons. He and Ziva exchanged a glance and he jerked his head at the van that held the injured. She nodded and went to keep watch there. By the time the man arrived, Jethro could almost guarantee that he was no threat. His face was careworn, partially hidden by a grayed beard, his body soft and yet not, possibly from living in the desert for who knew how long.
Blue-gray eyes met his and the man greeted, “You folks need help?”
“We’re good,” Jethro answered.
Looking around the groups of people, and those still in the van, the man finally replied, “You look like you could use a place to rest. Somewhere safe. We have children, too. You’ll all be welcome there.”
Frank and Stephen walked up just then, stopping so that Jethro and Frank surrounded Stephen, who held out a hand and introduced, “Dr. Stephen Connor. This is my partner Jethro Gibbs and my friend Frank Powell. We’re on our way to Vegas.”
“That’s where I live,” the man said, taking Stephen’s hand. “My partner Nick and I, among other friends. I’m Gil Grissom. I was just telling your partner that you can stay with us. We have plenty of room.”
Stephen’s hand landed on Jethro’s shoulder and squeezed when he opened his mouth to refuse. Restraining a glare at his lover, he waited to see what Stephen had to say.
“That sounds perfect. We’ve been traveling for quite a while.”
Not exactly how Jethro would have done it, but Frank looked in accord, so he was clearly outvoted. Keeping his face neutral, Jethro motioned to the Hummer and offered, “Want a lift, Grissom?”
Smiling, Grissom agreed, “That sounds great. My feet aren’t as young as they used to be, as Nick keeps trying to point out.”
As Stephen and Frank walked Grissom to the Hummer, Jethro holstered his gun and took a last look at the desert. Sighing to himself, he walked back to the others and climbed in the Hummer, sandwiching Grissom so that he was in control. If they were going to take in a perfect stranger, Jethro was damn sure going to keep a close eye on him.
The Week Before…
Things were, and weren’t, different even a couple of weeks after they got back to the hotel compound. People treated him with the same friendliness, but there was an overall air of annoyance and disapproval from some, not that he blamed them. He had, after all, put everyone in danger simply because he’d panicked over Nick’s advances.
Advances that hadn’t been repeated and Gil wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about that. Nick stayed close and yet out of reach. He hovered, protective and solicitous, but a bit aloof. Gil suspected that he’d driven Nick to the sidelines where he would watch until sure that Gil wouldn’t pull another runner. The kiss they’d shared upon first reaching the compound had been their only.
“Hey Teach.”
Nick’s teasing greeting brought Gil’s head up from the book he wasn’t reading. He offered a smile and replied, “Hello, good morning.”
Walking over to lean against the table where Gil sat, Nick smiled down at him. “Sleep well?”
“I did, thank you,” Gil answered. “You?”
Nick sidled closer, rubbing their legs together as he commented, “Great. You know, I bet you would sleep better in my bed.”
Eyebrows rising, Gil said slowly, “I didn’t think that an option any longer.”
“It’s always an option, Grissom. I told you I would give you space. That doesn’t mean I’m going to leave you alone,” Nick countered, leaning closer.
His hand reached out to rest on Gil’s shoulder, the thumb brushing back and forth over the skin at the base of his neck. A shiver of arousal ran through him at the contact and he stared up into Nick’s eyes, drifting close enough to feel the other man’s body heat.
“Looks like a private lesson. Maybe we should come back.”
Gil jumped at Greg’s stage-whispered comment, flushing as he looked over to find Greg, Warrick, and Sara standing over by the door. Nick actually growled a little at the interruption and Gil rubbed the younger man’s thigh soothingly. Clearing his throat, Gil said, “I’m ready when you are, Greg, if you’ve gone over the material?”
Greg’s eyebrows wriggled as he purred, “Oh, I was all over it plenty last night.”
Warrick slapped him upside the back of the head. “Down, boy. Sit.”
The class started with a minimum of fuss after that, the group settling in around the main table in the room. It was a round-table kind of session where Gil guided them through learning and debates about everything under the sun from Socrates to subatomic particles. They went right until lunch, voices and conversation going up and down in volume and intensity.
When they broke for lunch, Gil waved the others on and told Nick, “I’m just going to head to my room and rest my eyes for a few minutes.”
Nick frowned and asked, “Not feeling well?”
Gil hesitated, and then admitted, “I actually didn’t sleep much last night. I can’t seem to turn my mind off when the lights go out.”
“Every night?” Nick questioned, looking concerned. “What’s wrong?”
Shrugging, Gil replied, “Just a lot of things to assimilate. I’ll adjust, don’t worry. It’s only been a couple of weeks.”
Nick cupped his face and told him, “You don’t have to alone, Gil. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for a while now.”
Warmed by the concern and support, Gil lightly gripped Nick’s hand on his face. “Thank you.”
“Come on, I’ll walk you over,” Nick offered.
When Nick’s arm slid around Gil’s waist, he didn’t protest or try to pull away. It was a short walk and outside Gil’s door, Nick gave him a smile and a small kiss just below the ear before saying, “Have a good nap. I’ll come get you when we’re ready to start up again.”
Gil flushed in pleasure and repeated, “Thank you, Nick.”
He closed the door on Nick’s smiling face and couldn’t help a smile of his own as he crossed over to the bed for a quick nap.
* * * *
On his way to the common area, someone whistled low and suggestive from behind. Knowing it was Greg, Nick snorted and turned to find the younger man coming out of one of the rooms. “Hey, Greg-o. Hungry?”
“Starving,” Greg answered, flirty. “I bet you could fill me right up.”
Nick shook his head and ordered, “Behave, Greg.”
Walking right up to him, wrapping his arms around Nick’s waist to slide his hands into Nick’s back pockets, Greg answered, “What if I don’t want to?”
A small laugh escaped Nick and he allowed Greg to maneuver him against the wall as he said, “Then you’re going to get in trouble. You’re playin’ with fire, boy.”
Greg rubbed against him and murmured, “I wanna get burned, Nicky, want it bad. Got myself all slicked up and waiting for ya. We can go into my room and you can fuck me hard, like you used to.”
Nick shuddered as Greg’s thigh rubbed against his cock, getting him hard. He gripped the other’s shoulders and tried to gently push him back, but Greg wouldn’t let go. Loathe to do something that could hurt the fragile young man’s ego, Nick said, “You know I can’t, buddy, not anymore. You even told me you want me to get with Grissom.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t have us both,” Greg pointed out.
Licking at his dry lips, Nick told him, “Yeah, it does. I’m sorry, Greg, but I’m with Grissom now and that means exclusive.”
Big blue eyes met his as Greg asked softly, “But what about me? Don’t you love me anymore?”
“You know I do,” Nick promised. “We just can’t have sex.”
“I won’t tell. Please, Nick? I really need you. The way you hold me down, the way you fill me, I need it,” Greg begged, rubbing against him again.
Firm now, knowing there was no other way, Nick reached behind and took Greg’s hands out of his pockets. “No, Greg, now stop it.”
“Boy, have you done lost your damn mind?” Warrick demanded, striding up to them. He took Greg by the back of the neck and ordered, “Get your ass down to lunch before I decide to beat you.”
Greg stuck his tongue out at both of them and stalked away.
Letting out a shaky breath, Nick said, “Thanks, ‘Rick, that was good timing.”
Warrick smirked. “Actually, we were taking bets to see if you’d give in.”
Nick gave him a sour look and retorted, “You suck, man.”
Laughing outright, Warrick tossed an arm around Nick’s shoulder and told him, “Don’t worry. Cath and I’ll take Greg in hand tonight and make sure he gets what he needs.”
“Thanks, man, I appreciate that,” Nick said on the way to the common area.
“Nick!”
Surprised by Gil’s call of his name, Nick turned around to find the other man standing a good distance away. He was, however, certainly close enough to have seen not only Greg’s little scene, but that Nick hadn’t immediately turned him down.
Ah hell, he thought. Now what
do I do?
“Good luck, Nick,” Warrick muttered, continuing on his way.
Taking a breath, Nick headed back towards Grissom, mentally composing what he would say about the whole thing. When he got there, though, the other man just held up a hand and headed back towards his room.
Great. He wants privacy to dump me before we even start, Nick though morosely.
Following Gil into the room, Nick closed the door and said, “Before you say anything, that was nothing, Gil, I swear.”
A strange little half-smile hovered over Gil’s face as he answered, “I know. I’m not upset, Nick, I’m…well, I’m not sure, but I think this pointed out to me that unless I make a move, others will consider you still available. So…consider this me making a move.”
Nick waited, but nothing happened.
“By ‘this,’ I meant bringing you into my room in the middle of the day and telling you that I’m making a move,” Gil finally stated, awkward. “I’m afraid the rest is up to you.”
Not making the other man ask twice, Nick immediately closed the distance between them and took Gil’s face between his hands, bringing him in for a slow, deep kiss. He loved the way Gil’s mouth opened belatedly, very much not an instinctive movement, and how hesitant the other man’s tongue was as it made way for Nick’s.
Nick moved them so Gil’s back was to the wall and pressed against him, settling between Gil’s legs with hands on the other man’s hips as they made out, wet and hungry. Finally getting into the rhythm, Gil returned the kiss wholeheartedly. It was so much better than anything else Nick had experienced that he couldn’t even make comparisons. His hands slid up and down Gil’s sides and he alternately pressed his thigh against Gil’s crotch, provoking a whole-bodied shudder in response.
Breaking off the kiss, breathing hard, Nick murmured into Gil’s ear, “Feel good, baby? You like all that?”
Also breathless, Gil opened his mouth to answer, but Nick took possession of it again. He was already hard and aching, but this first time was about getting Gil off. God knew when the last time had been for the other man, but Nick was betting not for a long time. His hands made short work of the buckle and then button and zipper before he reached inside to grasp Gil’s dick in a loose, careful hold.
Gil went absolutely still at the contact, but Nick didn’t pause. He gentled the kiss as he began stroking lightly, breathing in Gil’s moan of pure pleasure. It was a strained position, his hand down Gil’s boxers, so he broke off long enough to shove pants and underwear down for a better grip.
Seeming to take the moment to regroup, Gil planted his feet better and gasped, “So this is foreplay.”
Nick gave him a shark’s smile and answered, “Oh no, baby. You ain’t even seen foreplay, yet. This is just…warmin’ up.”
“Oh.”
Nick’s grin got bigger at the weak response and he settled back on the other man, leaning partially on Gil to the side. Nuzzling at his throat, Nick murmured, “You just wait until I get to foreplay, Gil, then you’re goin’ to see what all the fuss is about. This, right here? This is just to get you off, down-n-dirty. I know you need it, you gotta need it real bad by now, don’t you? C’mon now, answer me or I stop.”
“Yes!” Gil gasped. “Yes, I need it, please!”
“You beg so nice,” Nick purred against his ear, biting the lobe sharply. “Just for that, you get a reward. How about I blow you after this first round is over? I’ll go down on you real nice and slow, take this big cock right down my throat ‘til I can’t even breathe. You want that? You wanna choke me with your cock?”
“Oh God,” Gil moaned, thrusting up into Nick’s hand.
“And then, after you fuck my throat, I’ll take you on the bed, open you up sweet and easy. I’m going to fill you up with my dick and make you forget everything and everyone else. You’re gonna to scream my name and not even remember doin’ it,” Nick promised.
He licked a broad swath along Gil’s throat and then sucked on the tender skin below the ear until a hickey blossomed. Returning to the lush mouth, enjoying the tickle of the beard, Nick attacked his new lover’s mouth and sped up his strokes. It took longer than he’d’ve expected, but finally, Gil came with a cry that Nick swallowed into their kiss.
Nick easily supported the other man’s weight until Gil regained his senses.
Hazy, gray-blue eyes stared back at him for a long moment before Gil smiled and murmured, “Where have you been all my life?”
Grinning, Nick answered, “Right here, Gil, right here. Oh, and don’t think we’re done. We got a few more things to take care of.”
That said, he slowly and deliberately slid down Gil’s body to land on his knees. Leaning in, he breathed in the strong, musky scent of sex and licked his palm, still wet with Gil’s come. A strangled noise echoed above and he winked up at Gil before licking up the semen left on the semi-hard dick near his face. From there, he took the hardening shaft in his mouth and sucked lightly on it.
The rally must have been excruciating for Grissom from the way he moaned and clutched uselessly at the wall. Nick took those hands and placed them on his head, relishing how they curved and held on, fingers digging in. He loved sucking cock, but especially for someone he cared about, like Greg and Warrick, before he and Cath had got serious. Being on his knees for Gil, though, was a whole ‘nother level of incredible.
It took even longer the second time, long enough for Nick’s jaw to ache in a not entirely pleasant way. Gil came at last, groaning chest-deep as his hips finally thrust for the first and last time, pushing his dick that last bit so it went all the way down Nick’s throat as he spilled. He semi-collapsed on Nick, holding onto his shoulders as he panted, dick pulling from Nick’s mouth.
Looking up, Nick smiled at the blissed out exhaustion on his lover’s face and suggested, “Why don’t you finish stripping off and get into bed?”
“Just as soon…as I can move,” Gil agreed, smiling tiredly.
Chuckling, Nick stood upright and Gil just fell into his arms, holding tight for a long moment. Gil kissed him, a slow, achingly sweet kiss that set his blood on fire even more, and then the other man stumbled off to the bed, stripping as he went. Nick grinned at his somnolent state and even though it just about killed him to wait, he proceeded to strip as well, knowing there would be no real relief for him. Not right away, at least.
Sure enough, by the time he joined Gil on the bed, the other man lay sound asleep on the covers. Shaking his head fondly, Nick tugged the covers down and then climbed under, pulling his lover close. Gil mumbled in his sleep and burrowed up against Nick’s chest, tugging at all kinds of heartstrings that he hadn’t felt in a damn long time.
Nick pressed his lips to Gil’s temple and closed his eyes, ignoring his body in favor of serious quality time with his new lover.
* * * *
Gil woke to the distinctly odd sensation of another person draped over his back. There’d never been such an occurrence in his life unless under life and death situations, but he didn’t remember anything bad happening. It actually took a few seconds to remember just what had happened and the heat of both arousal and embarrassment flushed through him.
What he’d done with Nick seemed…improbable at the very least. That Nick had seemed to enjoy it, well, Gil had to have exaggerated that particular memory, expanding it in his mind, in the heat of the moment.
Nick sighed and his arm tightened around Gil’s waist, nuzzling at the back of Gil’s neck and he murmured, “Evenin,’ Gil. Sleep good?”
“I did,” Gil answered honestly.
Nick’s hand slowly rubbed over Gil’s stomach as he asked, “So what’s wrong? Buyer’s remorse?”
Startled, Gil tried to turn over to face his new lover, but Nick kept him pinned to the bed. He finally shook his head and said, “No, nothing like that.”
“Then what?”
How to explain that it just didn’t seem right? That Nick deserved so much better than what he would get if he stayed with Gil? They were so different, and the age thing was the least of it.
Soft lips pressed to Gil’s back and Nick told him, “Don’t try to think us out of this, Gris, okay? Turn off that brain of yours and just let it happen.”
“I want to,” Gil replied, uncertain.
Nick pulled back, letting Gil turn onto his back, and smiled down at him with such tenderness that it stole Gil’s breath. Brushing his knuckles over Gil’s cheek, along the edge of his beard, Nick said, “Then do it. Don’t listen to any doubts you might be having, okay? Give us a chance.”
Gil stared back into the hazel eyes for a long moment, wondering what the other saw in him to make Nick so persistent. He at last nodded and offered a hesitant smile of his own. “Okay.”
Leaning down, Nick kissed him slow and easy. Gil’s mouth opened to it and he couldn’t help but smile as a bubble of joy slid through him. Nick chuckled into the kiss and teeth knocked into teeth before it broke off and the other man smiled down at him. “We should probably rejoin the land of the living for dinner.”
Gil was about to protest when his stomach rumbled in agreement. Huffing in amusement, he said, “I suppose we should, at that.”
It didn’t take long for them to get dressed even with taking time for a quick wash in the bathroom. Bad enough that everyone had to know what they’d been doing; Gil had no intention of flaunting it anymore than he had to. Nick caught him at the door for a long, lingering kiss that promptly scattered his thoughts.
“There. That’s a good look for you,” Nick observed, grinning.
Gil grimaced at him and said primly, “Keep that up and all you’ll be doing is looking.”
Nick laughed outright. “Was that a joke, Gris? Getting laid must agree with you!”
A relieved smile surfaced on Nick’s face and they left the room. It was full dark outside, which explained part of the reason he’d slept so hard. Other than being worn out by Nick, of course. He really hadn’t been sleeping well lately and the darkness must have reinforced his need for it. They headed for the main dining area and discovered that most of the food had already been consumed with only Warrick, Catherine, Kel and Sofia remaining.
Gil offered a self-conscious smile to them all and wished that Nick didn’t hold onto his hand quite so firmly. He would’ve loved to just put his hands in his pockets. Better still, retreating altogether had a much bigger appeal, but he knew Nick wouldn’t go for it.
“Well there you are,” Catherine greeted with a grin. “And how are the lovebirds tonight?”
Heat rushed over Gil’s face, but he managed to answer, fairly nonchalantly, “Hungry.”
“Worked up an appetite, huh?” Warrick teased, smirking.
Gil wondered if it was too much to ask for the floor to open up and swallow him.
Nick intervened with, “All right, you jackals, enough,” tugging Gil towards the table where the others sat.
Fortunately, conversation resumed from wherever they’d been interrupted. No one paid them any attention as they filled plates with somewhat limp, definitely overcooked vegetables and lumpy mashed potatoes along with cold meatloaf. He wondered vaguely what kind of meat it was before deciding he didn’t really want to know.
“I still think it’s a good idea,” Catherine said in an insistent tone.
Nick asked, “What are we talking about?”
Warrick rolled his eyes and answered, “She wants to talk to Bosun again about an alliance.”
Nick’s mouth snapped shut with an audible click and he went back to eating, which surprised Gil. One thing Nick wasn’t, was shy about offering an opinion. Knowing he should probably just mind his own business, Gil asked, “Who’s Bosun and why would you want an alliance?”
Interested, Gil commented, “That sounds promising. What’s the problem?”
“Bosun’s a liar who can’t be trusted,” Warrick said flatly.
Gil looked at Nick, but the other man simply continued to eat. Lips pursed, bemused by his lover’s continued silence, he questioned, “How bad off are we for power?”
“Not bad at all,” Catherine admitted. “That’s why it’s not strictly necessary to do this. I just…I like to have a back-up plan.”
Shrugging, Gil pointed out, “Then send someone as an intermediary. Get the lay of the land. If it looks good, you can go.”
Catherine grinned. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do, but I have a distinct lack of volunteers.”
Gil opened his mouth to do just that when Nick shook his head sharply, gripping Gil’s arm and squeezing it briefly, but tight. Taking the warning to heart, though he fully intended to ask the reasoning behind it in private, he fell silent with another shrug at Catherine.
Catherine’s lips quirked and she said, “That’s okay. I know when my people conspire against me.”
She sounded more amused than annoyed, so Gil let the subject drop and finished his food. The others talked about supplies and resources during the rest of the night. Nick joined in, once the conversation turned from Bosun, and seemed his normal self, deepening Gil’s curiosity in the whole matter.
It was late when he couldn’t control his yawns anymore. Greg wandered in around then and promptly settled on Warrick’s lap, curling around the bigger man without anyone batting an eyelash. Gil envied the young man’s capacity to just take what he needed from others. Nick’s arm went around his waist, tugging him close so the other could murmur against his ear, “Ready for bed, lover?”
Suddenly wide awake, Gil nodded and met Nick’s heated gaze only to discover he’d lost the ability to speak.
“Think they’ll make it to the bedroom?” Warrick asked.
Jolted from the spell of Nick’s eyes, Gil blushed yet again and cursed himself for being unable to control his reactions to friendly teasing.
Nick chuckled and stood, taking Gil’s hand as he said to Warrick, “We’re sure as hell not giving you a free show.”
Warrick grinned broadly. “Selling tickets, then? ‘Cause I’d totally pay, man.”
Catherine flicked his ear hard enough to provoke a wince from the black man and scolded, “Leave poor Gil alone before he dies of embarrassment.”
Which actually embarrassed Gil more, but he forced a weak smile of thanks in her direction.
Thankfully, Nick was ready to leave and headed for the door with a jaunty wave and, “Don’t expect us for breakfast.”
“We won’t hold lunch either!” Warrick called after them.
Shaking his head, Nick put his
arm around Gil’s waist and apologized, “They’re like that whenever anyone gets
together, don’t take it personally. A few days from now and no one will think
twice about us making out in the kitchen and makin’ noise after
Gil hadn’t honestly thought about what others might think, not at the time, but now he couldn’t seem to stop. Hesitant, he said, “I know everyone seems supportive here, but Nick, outside the compound…things are really different.”
Nick sobered and agreed, “We’ll have to be careful about being out in public, but it’s not like we’re heading out anywhere on our own anyhow. There’s not many who’ll go up against our crew.”
Biting his lip, Gil asked, “What about when I go into the desert on my own? I have studies and experiments in situ, Nick, I can’t abandon them. I won’t. We’ve already lost so much knowledge with the plagues, I need to do as much as possible.”
“I won’t risk your safety, Gil,” Nick stated quietly, “but we’ll figure something out. Just promise me you won’t take off on your own again.”
Gil gave him a rueful smile as they approached his room. “I deserved that, I guess. I won’t, I promise.”
Nick squeezed his hand and then they were at the door. Gil flushed, thinking of what happened last time they’d gone in there, but instead of embarrassment, it was arousal that chased through his body. The door closing behind him sounded loud and final and Gil simply stood in the middle of the room, staring at the bed that was still mussed from when they’d last occupied it.
Pressing right up against his back, Nick’s arms slid around Gil’s waist and he murmured, “Want you so much, Gil. What do you want to do? I’ll do anything for you.”
Gil shuddered, his hands gripping Nick’s arm tight before he turned in the embrace and put his arms around his lover’s neck, drawing him in for a hungry kiss. It had been so long since he’d had the opportunity simply to have this kind of contact with anyone else that he felt starved for it. Nick groaned into the kiss and returned it, tongue thrusting into his mouth to twine and dance with Gil’s.
The bed struck the back of his knees without warning and Gil laughed breathlessly as he fell back on it, Nick falling with him. He grunted at the full weight of his lover, but held Nick when he tried to move off. Then they were kissing again, deep, wet, sucking kisses that banished all amusement and sent blood rushing south. Somehow, they managed to squirm up on the bed and get rid of clothes, but it took far more time than if they’d simply stopped and gotten undressed. Gil was so desperate for Nick, though, that he could barely stand to let go of him and, from the groans and rough caresses, Nick seemed to feel the same.
Finally, finally they were blessedly naked and rolling on the bed for purchase and dominance. Breathless and hard as a rock, Gil finally let Nick hold him down, admitting to himself, at least, just how exciting it felt. Gil licked at his lips, both swollen and tingling from the extended making out, and stared up at his lover, just a large shape in the darkness. They’d been in such a rush, neither had turned on the lights.
“What do you want, baby? What can I do for you?” Nick asked, sounding just as breathless. “Anything you want, I’ll do it.”
Gil’s breath caught at the declaration and he couldn’t seem to form words. His mind shorted out from all the possibilities, freezing him with a buffet of choices where he’d only known lack.
“How about I surprise you?” Nick suggested, voice low and wicked.
Before Gil could respond, the other man hopped nimbly off the bed and strode to the bathroom. Gil took the opportunity to breathe deeply, suspecting that it would be a short reprieve.
Nick left the light on when he returned to the bed holding a small bottle of something. He flashed Gil a grin and climbed on the bed as he said, “Hope springs eternal, man. I put this here last week sometime, just in case we wound up here instead of my place.”
Realizing it was oil of some kind and understanding what Nick had planned, Gil swallowed against sudden fear. He’d never done anything like that and honestly wasn’t sure he wanted to, even with Nick. It was…so vulnerable…a position of submission and humiliation, the few times he’d almost not been able to get out of being some stronger man’s toy. The last time had been a good ten years ago, but that burning sense of degradation before he’d been able to escape had seared into his psyche.
“Gil? Hey, easy there, baby, what’s wrong? Gil? C’mon now, you’re scaring me here,” Nick exclaimed, rubbing a hand over Gil’s chest.
Gil drew in a shuddering breath and said, “Sorry, I just, you caught me by surprise. I um, I don’t think…Nick, I, I can’t…”
Understanding dawned over Nick’s expressive features, followed fast by anger as he demanded, “Who hurt you? Fuckers, I’ll kill ‘em!”
Astonished by the venom in the normally genial man’s voice, Gil was nonetheless reassured by the instant and total fury in his lover. It soothed just a little of the pain from those long ago encounters. Rubbing his hand along the strong arm nearest him, Gil said, “I don’t even know who he was, but it’s okay. He didn’t, I mean, I got away before he could do anything, uh, serious. I just meant, I don’t think I can do that with you, not yet. I just, I’m not ready.”
Nick took a deep breath and closed his eyes, as if getting himself under control. When he opened them again, only tenderness and love looked back at Gil as Nick said, “This wasn’t for you, baby, it was for me. I want that cock inside me, nailing me as hard as you can.”
Gaping outright at the declaration, lust chased fast through him even as Gil tempered it with caution and replied, “I’m afraid I won’t be very good at that. I haven’t…it’s been a long time.”
“That’s okay. You let me do all the work. We’ll practice technique later,” Nick teased gently. “We got all the time in the world.”
Gil started to believe him.
And then he started to wonder if Nick was trying to kill him by heart attack. The younger man straddled him and poured the oil onto his fingers, reaching back to finger fuck himself, putting on a show that had Gil hard and shivering with want in a matter of seconds. The light from the bathroom lit Nick from behind, giving him a glow that took away what was left of Gil’s breath. When Nick added a slick hand to stroking Gil’s cock, he had to grit his teeth and mentally recite Latin terms for local flora and fauna to keep from coming.
The sensation of Nick pressing down on him opened Gil’s eyes in a heartbeat, though he didn’t remember closing them. Encased in tight, hot flesh seconds later, Gil bit his lip and strained not to move, letting his lover go at his own pace. His hands twisted in the bedspread and his legs came up instinctively to cradle Nick from behind. Watching avidly as Nick slowly worked himself further down onto Gil’s dick was just so much more than he ever could have anticipated.
Once Nick sat fully on him, his ass clenching and unclenching around Gil’s cock, Nick leaned forward to kiss him. Gil was barely able to respond, he was so engrossed in not coming, so focused on the incredible feelings washing over and through him. Nick started rocking, just a slow, barely-there undulation, and pure love overwhelmed Gil, that the other man would do something so incredible for him.
Gil reached out and took both of Nick’s hands in his, lacing their hands together. He managed to gasp, “It’s so good, Nicky, oh God, you don’t know! You can’t know how good you feel!”
Nick lifted up and dropped back down hard, moaning and then replying, “You’ve got it backwards, babe. Fuck, your cock is so big and hard in me! Never letting you out of this bed ever again!”
Words became useless as Nick fucked himself on Gil’s dick in earnest. It was all Gil could do to hold on and let the other man find his pleasure, the sight of him replacing anything bad associated with this act. Nick’s mouth stayed open, his chest heaving as he sucked in air and sweat dripped slowly down his broad torso. Their hands remained locked together, another point of connection through the infinite and too short love making.
Nick hit an angle inside himself that caused him to cry out in obvious pleasure and need. He slammed down again and again on that same spot, moving hard and fast. Gil thrust up, simultaneously trying to help and get as deep in his lover’s body as he possibly could. It seemed an eternity later that Nick arched and shouted loudly, come bursting from his cock to splatter over Gil’s chest and abs. The clenching around his shaft was like a vice and Gil lost it, shoving without thought up into the tight heat of Nick’s hole until he came, spilling into his lover’s body until the world grayed out.
When he regained his senses, Gil discovered Nick slumped on his chest, out like a light and snoring lightly. His dick still lodged within his lover’s body, which somehow Gil thought Nick would regret in the morning, but he didn’t have the heart to wake him when he looked so peaceful.
Gil slowly stroked a hand up and down Nick’s back, sighing deeply as he kissed Nick’s temple and cheek. He knew that he’d been given something precious and vowed never to take it for granted. Smiling at the thought, knowing how blessed he was to have this man to himself at all, Gil murmured, “I love you, Nicky,” before letting himself fall asleep.
* * * *
Gil woke to the sound of rain and a surprisingly sore back. Nick no longer lay atop him, but the damage had been done. Rubbing at his eyes, he turned his head and found Nick still snoring, but on his side, facing away from Gil. Trying not to read anything into that, Gil hesitantly slid up behind him and put his arm around Nick’s waist as gently as he could.
Nick woke anyhow, the snores replaced by yawns as the other man hummed in contentment and pushed back against Gil with a sleepy, “Mornin,’ big boy.”
Chuckling, Gil kissed the back of Nick’s neck and replied, “Morning. How do you feel?”
“Sore as hell, but then, I knew you had a horse cock going into it,” Nick teased, turning to face him. The grin in place reassured Gil and he continued, “We are so doing that again as soon as I can move.”
Pleased, maybe even a little proud though he’d done little enough of the work, Gil asked, “So you enjoyed it?”
Nick’s eyebrows shot up and he asked, disbelief evident, “Are you shittin’ me? Gil, babe, I was in orbit last night, or couldn’t you tell from how I pretty much zonked out on you? I’m normally not wham bam like that. Call me a sap, but I like some cuddlin’ to go with my sexin.’”
Gil grinned and obliged, “You’re a sap.”
Rolling his eyes, Nick leaned in and kissed him slow and easy before telling him, “I’ll tell you if something doesn’t work for me, trust me.”
“I do,” Gil said simply. “It’s raining out.”
Nick blinked at him a few times, clearly not getting the change in subject.
“My experiments,” Gil prompted expectantly.
An ‘O’ of understanding surfaced and Nick sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Okay. I need a shower and coffee fit to burn through the tin, not necessarily in that order. Then we talk about getting you out to your experiments.”
Gil nodded and asked hopefully, “Want some help to the shower?”
Nick snickered and pulled him close for another kiss before answering, “And in it, thanks.”
They did actually make breakfast, much to Gil’s surprise and chagrin. Nick got several teasings by multiple people the moment they entered the dining hall and then, on top of that, catcalls and laughter when he sat very gingerly at a table. Nick took it with his usual aplomb, answering each teasing with easy, self-deprecating comments as well as a number of left-handed compliments to Gil’s prowess in bed. The latter, of course, set Gil’s face on fire.
In the end, it was a very simple thing to get outfitted for his expedition. Warrick and Nick put together an old-fashioned hiking backpack with everything he could possibly want or need and Nick drove him to the edge of the desert at Gil’s directions. The rain stopped just before they got there and, once at the right spot, Gil found himself at a loss for words. He at last asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”
Nick smiled at him and shook his head. “If I go, I’ll not only just be in your way, but I won’t be able to let you go alone when you really need to. I will, however, be right here in five days. If you miss that meeting, I’ll track you down and beat your ass black and blue, got it?”
Hearing the worry underneath the words, Gil smiled and leaned in for a lingering kiss. Pulling back, Gil promised, “I’ll be here. And thank you, Nick, for understanding.”
Nick’s knuckles brushed over his cheek and then he said, “All right, get on with it before I turn around and tie you to the bed.”
Gil nodded and climbed out of
the jeep. He leaned in and told Nick, “I’ll see you in five days,” before
resolutely turning to walk from the road into the desert that he knew better
than the back of his hand. Already nature would be at work to transform the
golden wasteland into a
His camp was intact, which was a relief, and Gil spent the first couple of hours putting everything in working order. From there, it was a long walk to write down everything that had changed since the last time he’d been in the area. He didn’t finish with that until just after sundown and returned to camp as the moon began her nightly rise across the sky. It seemed strange that, after only a little over a month, he missed having people around.
Mostly, he just missed having Nick around. Several times he turned to share something with his lover only to remember that he was alone. That night was the loneliest that he’d spent in a long time, now that he knew how good and right it felt to have Nick sleeping beside him.
The next few days proved beneficial to the various books he had in progress and Gil found himself unable to become completely engrossed in his work. The itch to leave his work and get back to the compound and Nick grew daily. He not only wanted the other man fiercely, but missed his very presence even more.
Deciding that his attention was distinctly lacking and making plans to return, with Nick, Gil packed up two full days early. He’d be able to get back to the compound an entire day early and surprise Nick. The other man would probably be angry that he’d gone through the city and walked so far on his own, but it wasn’t the first time and probably wouldn’t be the last. Knowing that he would travel easier and faster without the large pack, Gil tossed food and water in a bag and made sure everything he left was well protected until he could come back with Nick.
It wasn’t quite
Or, so he planned until finding the group off the side of the road, one of their people clearly down from some kind of accident and children kept off to the side so they couldn’t see what was going on. A hard-faced man with mostly silver hair and piercing blue eyes stood on the road, watching and waiting his approach, a dark-haired woman standing beside him, though she left before he actually got there.
Gil met those pale eyes and offered, “You folks need help?”
“We’re good,” the man replied shortly.
Looking around the groups of people, and those still in the van, Gil finally said, “You look like you could use a place to rest. Somewhere safe. We have children, too. You’ll all be welcome there.”
Two other men walked up just then. One was a large black man and the other pale and blond with even more astonishingly blue eyes. The two newcomers stopped so that the blond was surrounded by the black man and Gil’s original greeter. The blond man held out a hand and introduced, “Dr. Stephen Connor. This is my partner Jethro Gibbs and my friend Frank Powell. We’re on our way to Vegas.”
“That’s where I live,” Gil replied, taking Stephen’s hand. “My partner Nick and I, among other friends. I’m Gil Grissom. I was just telling your partner that you can stay with us. We have plenty of room.”
Stephen’s hand landed on Jethro’s shoulder and squeezed, clearly forestalling the more cautious man’s refusal. “That sounds perfect. We’ve been traveling for quite a while.”
Clearly, Stephen was the one in charge. Gil smiled and nodded in commiseration.
Jethro motioned to the Hummer and offered, “Want a lift, Grissom?”
Even though he was sure it was more to keep an eye on him than a genuine offer, Gil agreed, “That sounds great. My feet aren’t as young as they used to be, as Nick keeps trying to point out.”
He followed Stephen into a Hummer, of all things, and didn’t miss the way Jethro stayed close. Even so, Gil was able to direct the driver to Vegas and then towards the compound. No one talked much, though whether that was worry for their fallen man or anticipation of their possible new home, Gil couldn’t tell. It wasn’t until they were almost there that Gil happened to wonder about Nick’s reaction to him just climbing into a car with strangers. Armed strangers, no less.
Suddenly realizing just how bad an idea this might be, Gil shifted uncomfortably and scratched at his beard. He tried to think of a way to present this so Nick didn’t fly off the handle and couldn’t.
“Something wrong?”
Gil looked over at Stephen and gave him a rueful twist of the lips. “Well, I just happened to think that Nick’s not all that likely to be jumping up and down with joy at me doing this. Not that they won’t to take you in, but, well, I tend to leap before I look.”
“And we’re not exactly peaceful looking,” Stephen surmised, flashing a grin at Jethro.
Offering a somewhat hapless shrug, Gil agreed, “Not really.”
Jethro grunted and muttered something under his breath that Gil didn’t catch.
They turned down the street that led to the motel and then Gil ordered, “Stop here, if you please? I should go out and make sure they don’t shoot first and ask questions later.”
Jethro climbed out so that Gil could and then got back inside the hummer. To Gil’s surprise, Stephen also got out of the Hummer but an easy smile from the other man assured him.
“Can’t have you facing the firing squad alone, now, can we?” Stephen told him, winking.
Somewhat bolstered by the support, Gil walked towards the compound gate. Catherine, Warrick, Sofia, Kel, and Nick were all there, naturally, as well as the normal guards. Nick look fit to be tied, if the utter lack of expression was anything to go by.
Gil offered a weak smile and greeted, “This is Stephen Connor. His group ran into some trouble on the road and, well, I thought they could regroup here. They have children and injured to care for.”
Nick’s expression didn’t
change, but Catherine immediately nodded, agreeing, “Of course.
But Stephen held up a hand and contradicted, “We actually have a number of doctors in our group. All we really need is somewhere the injured can rest that’s clean, safe, and dry.”
“I’m sure we can accommodate,” Catherine said, opening the gate and motioning the others to swing it wide. “That’s quite a convoy you have there.”
Stephen smiled at her. “It is, isn’t it? And you are?”
Catherine held out her hand as she said, “Catherine Willows. That’s Warrick Brown, Nick Stokes, Sofia Curtis and Kel Martins.”
Stephen shook hands with everyone as the vehicles pulled into the main parking area of the motel. There were a lot of arrangements to make as they discovered just how many people were injured. That no one had died already spoke of serious medical training, given the number of bullet wounds among the wounded. Gil was grateful for the busywork, not looking forward to the private discussion Nick was sure to want as soon as there was a moment.
All the injured were settled in their rooms, their various partners with them. Gil was a little astonished to realize just how many same-sex couples there were, even given the size of the group. He couldn’t wait to find out exactly where they’d come from and what had formed them into a single group. His mind positively boggled upon discovering that it wasn’t just Stephen and Jethro as partners, but Stephen, Jethro, and two young men who formed a single, romantic unit.
Finally, though, there was no putting it off. With everyone down for the night and guard duty assigned, Nick joined him near the pool and asked in a deceptively calm voice, “So you thought you would help them out, huh? Perfect strangers armed to the friggin’ teeth. You thought it was a good idea to just mosey on up to them and go, “Here! Take me as a potential hostage!”
Gil winced at the anger and delayed panic underlying his lover’s voice. He took Nick’s hands and brought him to a nearby chaise, tugging him down on the rickety thing. “I saw one of them badly injured and couldn’t just turn my back on them.”
Nick looked at him for a long moment, the moonlight finding every wrinkle and crease in the careworn face. He finally sighed and admitted, “No, I guess you couldn’t. But I’ll tell you, Gris, you’re not makin’ it easy for me to let you go off on your own, especially not after this.”
Feeling awkward, Gil said, “Well, I was actually going to talk to you about that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes, well…I was thinking…why do you have to let me go on my own?” Gil asked in a rush. He continued before he lost his nerve, “Why do we need to be alone at all? I’ve been alone a long time, Nick, and…I think I’m ready to not be alone anymore. If you want, I mean. This is the both of us and if you need space to…”
Nick’s hand covered Gil’s mouth, stopping the words as he bestowed an obviously fond, if somewhat exasperated, smile on Gil and said, “I’d love to be glued to your side the rest of your life, Gil. I just didn’t want to freak you out again.”
Pulling Nick’s hand off his mouth, Gil half-smiled and suggested, “How about we try the joined-at-the-hips thing for a while and see how it goes?”
A broad grin spread over Nick’s face and he kissed Gil sweetly before confirming, “Sounds like a plan to me. Now c’mon. I have a bed you need tyin’ to.”
Gil laughed and let Nick pull him to his feet. They walked hand-in-hand to his room and spent the rest of the night getting reacquainted. After, draped over his lover’s body and listening to Nick’s heartbeat, Gil understood just how lucky he was and fell asleep with a half-formed, but wholly sincere prayer never to be alone again.