Nick looked in the mirror, and figured he really was as tired as he appeared. He had gotten only a few hours of sleep after he'd talked with Warrick.
Hearing his voice had soothed many of his jittered nerves, and he got a chuckle out of Warrick's revelation about Horatio. It was something they decided to never tell Timothy, unless he pissed them off.
And the phone sex had helped.
He still wasn't sure what had made him confide in Timothy about those first three days on the Red Stallion, and the three days that followed nearly a year later.
Nico only hoped that by telling their story, it would get his son to finally finish Bonding with Horatio.
He, at one point in his life, had been too arrogant with his own Mating, and it cost him everything.
He could not see his son go through the same pain, even if that meant calling in his own security for extra protection.
Nick dressed, drank at least three bags of cloned blood, and figured he might find Greg when he got into work. At least he didn't look like death warmed over. Much. He needed some proper food on his stomach, and to lay off the alcohol for a few days.
They were down two. Warrick was flying home, and wouldn't be in until the next shift. And Sara was out for a week. Of course he wasn't supposed to know about Sara.
Ocean had informed him that she'd checked in, and booked a Spa day with some extra pampering.
Rossi left a message stating that Sara had indeed called. Her tone seemed hesitant, but he sensed she was serious, and he would return her call the next day.
As Nick settled into his Tahoe, he rang Van Helsing and ordered him to Miami. His kid was going to be focused on making the 'perfect' Bonding moment, and it was Papa's job to make sure everything went the way his boy wanted it.
The first thing he did when he walked into the lab, was snag Greg and pull him into the Locker Room. He simply ignored his kid's ramblings as he Fed, making sure it felt warm and familiar instead of intimate and arousing.
"Bad night?" Greg asked, concerned.
"Had better." Nick shrugged. "I've got to get to assignments."
"Sara's out," he said, as they left, heading for the Break Room. "I'm hoping Grissom will let me tag along with one of you."
"It's possible." Nick didn't ask why Sara was out, which rather disappointed the labrat, as he really wanted to talk gossip. "Look Greg…"
"Yes?" He grinned.
"Drop this one." Nick gave him a pointed look. "Sara's on vacation. Leave it at that."
Sanders nodded, then gave him a quick salute before heading for his lab.
Nick walked into the Break Room and made a beeline for the coffee. He sighed in relief, smelling Greg's Blue Hawaiian blend. Fixing himself a cup, he slumped into one of the chairs.
"Yeah, that's how I feel," Catherine commented from her own chair.
"Please let the occupants of Las Vegas be kind and courteous, and not try to kill each other." Nick sipped his coffee, hoping for a quiet night.
The door opened and Gil came in, arms filled with files.
"We're down two, so Vegas decided to have multiple crimes!" He smirked at the pair of them. "Catherine, B&E with a dead body. Nick, double homicide. And I get the Hit and Run."
Catherine stood up and grabbed the assignment sheet from Gil's hand. "I call dibs on Greg." She winked at Gil, who frowned. "By the way, its nice to have you back."
"Thanks, Cath." He gave her a true smile. "Happy to be back."
Nick finished his coffee then grabbed his own sheet. "Be nice if the murderer stayed at the scene, covered in blood, holding the weapon."
"Your optimism astounds me!" Gil snickered as he headed past him for the door. Then he took a deep breath, and turned around suddenly. "Nick?"
He looked back over his shoulder at his supervisor. "Yes?"
"Breakfast." Gil rolled his eyes at himself. "I think we should talk, so let me fix you breakfast."
Nick paused for a moment, hesitant. "Fix?"
"I owe you at least a home cooked meal." Grissom tried to keep his nervousness from showing. Nick actually had every right to run away screaming, let alone accept a breakfast invite.
"Yeah. Sure. End of shift I'll check in to see where we are on our cases," he said briskly with a nod, before leaving and closing the door behind him.
Warrick on the other hand didn't take well to the idea of Nick having 'breakfast' with Gil.
'Excuse me?' Warrick demanded, when he called to say he would be landing soon, and was going to crash at Nick's place. 'What makes you think having breakfast at his house would be a good idea?'
"It's breakfast. He wants to talk," Nick assured him. "Clear the air between us. And the air does need to be cleared."
'Then go to a public restaurant.'
"Oh, yes! And discuss the fact that he kissed me? And how I jacked him off like some cheap date, right where everyone can hear over their hashbrowns and OJ?" Nick hissed into the phone. "You're going to crash anyway. It will be a couple of hours. That's it. Then I'll be home and curled up next to you when you wake."
'Nick!'
"Warrick?"
'Fine!' The Pirate cursed, as only a Pirate ever truly can. 'You come home to me, so I can remind you where you belong!'
"Yes, my Captain." Nick's voice dropped to a low purr. "I was thinking, before all this went to shit, that once everything has settled, how about we go to Rome for a few days?"
He could hear Warrick's contented sigh.
'Now that's a good idea. My phone will be on, but the moment I get in the house I'm crashing.' He paused for a moment. 'Nick, if he tries anything…'
"I'll flatten his ass," Nico growled.
'That's my General.'
Nick had been in Gil's townhome before, and not surprisingly, it hadn't changed much over the years. Matter of fact, the only difference he could see was that there seemed to be more books and clutter.
Gil was busy in the kitchen, making typical breakfast items. He had smiled generously, and handed Nick a cup of decaf coffee, then had him sit at the bar stool while they discussed their cases.
Gil's Hit and Run had left behind the car's license plate, making it easy for Brass to track the guy down. When he opened the door to his house, drunk more than two times the legal amount, with no realization that he'd even hit anything, the case was pretty much closed.
Unfortunately, Nick hadn't found the killer at the murder scene, covered in blood, holding the murder weapon. He was able to get a second set of DNA off the clothes though. He just needed to find a match.
Sitting back in his chair, he studied Gil for a few moments. The older man looked calm, but he could pick up some nervousness. So far, the morning had been good, and they'd had well-rounded conversations. The food was decent too, but he couldn't shake a sense of dread.
"Thank you for breakfast, Gil." Nick looked over at his Boss, nodding.
"You're welcome." He stood up and cleared the table, busying himself with rinsing the plates and putting them into the dishwasher. "But you want to know why I asked you over."
"I could assume, but that's a dangerous thing to do in our profession." Nick stood too, and placed his coffee cup on the counter before stepping back. "But I can guess it has something to do with what happened last week."
Gil started the dishwasher, wiped the sink, then turned and faced Nick. "Yes, and no." He moved past him, out of the kitchen and into his office. "I do apologize for my behavior…"
"We went through this already, and you already apologized." Nick followed him cautiously cringing at the considerable insect collection on the walls. "Okay, the bug thing is still creepy ass."
Gil chuckled as he grabbed a notebook off his desk. "Remember when I said you were different? That you intrigued me? Something drew me to you?"
"Yes." Nick crossed his arms over his chest, not sure where this was going.
"You're not who you say you are." He looked at Nick squarely. "Oh, I mean you're Nick Stokes. Well at least you are on paper."
Hackles went up instantly.
"I mean," Grissom hesitated, "I'm not starting this right."
"Start from the beginning, Gris." Nick's tone indicated he wasn't going to put up with any bullshit.
"The moment I met you, there were moments that you didn't fit you." He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "The Nick Stokes on your resumé was young, maybe a bit naïve, just starting in his career. You were smarter than that. You had a knowledge base on a variety of subjects more that of someone who had been in the profession for decades, not a few years."
Nick shrugged. "When I finally found my niche in Forensics, I settled in and went to town. Being the baby in the family, sometimes you have to prove that you're just as smart as your older brother."
Grissom studied him for a few moments. "See, that's what I'm talking about."
"What?"
"You talked your way around my observation, made it sound important yet you tell me absolutely nothing." He reached over and pulled off the white sheet that had been covering one of the sidewalls of the room.
Nick stared in shock.
It was a copy of Gil's fish board in his office, where he kept all his cold cases, except that it was filled with information, questions, observations, photographs, articles, and only the Gods knew what else.
It spread past the initial board and onto the wall.
And all of it was about him.
"What the fuck Gil?!" He stepped closer, his eyes drawn to the more detailed information.
His resumé, with his Fraternity highlighted in luminous yellow. Next to it was written in black marker 'SPQR?'.
His medical notes from the Crane case:
'Patient uncooperative, wouldn't allow monitors or testing'
'Gave Vicodin for pain management and to calm him down'
'Patient never followed up with a second appointment'
'Medical release for Nick Stokes from Dr. Ashford'
His gun qualification marks with a note from the instructor for Nick to take it over again, stating it was too good, and therefore had to be a mistake. Next to it was Nick's second qualification marks.
A copy of his membership to the North American Falconry Association, dated 1961, when it was Founded.
Notes on Harvey Specter and Lady Heather, with questions concerning Lady Blossom and Colonel Stokes, along with secondary notes and calculations concerning the infamous goo experiment, and transfer probability from one of those four listed individuals.
Photos of him around Las Vegas.
Talking to Ed Deline and Danny McCoy at the Montecito.
Walking with Danny Ocean in the lobby of Caesars.
Drinks with Terrence Benedict at the Bellagio's Patrossian Bar, that showed him decked out in Georgio Armani.
Historical articles on General Meridius from the Civil War. One of them, about Meridius and his infamous arguments with the leaders of the Army of Potomac after major battles such as Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and even Cold Harbor. A section of the article about General Meridius and his friendship with President Lincoln, was also highlighted in numerous places. Next to it was a well-known historical photograph of President Lincoln and paired with a modern shot of the re-enactor.
Nick froze.
His PD Records from Dallas were there too, including training, the investigation into the shooting, and his transfer to Forensics.
Copies of various book covers about The Monuments Men were pinned up, alongside articles about Frank Stokes, and a specific mention of paintings that were stolen in Italy and hidden at the 'Meridii Villa'. There was even a photo of Frank Stokes, his team of experts, and the owner of the Villa. It was grainy but clear enough.
A printed photocopy of a document that showed ownership of the Meridii Villa 'Deeded In Perpetuity' to the Meridius family in 211 AD. It bore the official marks of the Emperor Caesar Lucius Septimus Severus Pertinax Augustus, that had been shown in an Italian Court to stop Mussolini from seizing the property. A piece of thread, moved from the photocopy to the movie poster of Gladiator, linking it to historical information on Commodus and Marcus Aurelius.
Printouts of websites on the history of the Villa, and the Meridii family name.
And finally a full recorded history of the life and murder of Nicolaus Valerius Meridius.
Nick barely heard his phone ringing, but reached for it automatically.
'Nico, what the actual fuck is going on…?'
"Not now," he answered, unable to pull his attention from the board. "You'll be fielding some calls for a while." With that he hung up, turned off his phone and looked at Gil. "You got five minutes to explain, before I bury you in the desert."
"I've come to the conclusion that for any of this," he said quietly, waving his hand at the board, "to be even vaguely accurate, you would need to be immortal."
"Seriously serious?"
"I've found only a few images, but mostly historical references." He pulled a photo down from the board, and handed it to Nick. "This was when Caesars Palace opened. That's you and Danny Ocean."
Nick took the picture and studied it, thanking the Gods it was cropped. The real picture, which hung in Danny's office, showed Basher on Danny's right and Warrick on Nick's left.
"Considering tales of immortals, and some study into the Occult, the best conclusion I could come up with, is that you’re a Vampyre." Gil presented him with his evidence. "The only anomalies are the fact that I've seen you during the day." He pointed at the open window where sunlight streamed in, bathing Nick. "And I've seen you enter churches, where you even said a Hail Mary once."
Nick slid his fingers over the photograph, rather than clench his fist search for a weapon that wasn't there.
"I've been studying…"
"Stalking!!!" Nico glared at him. "This is worse than Crane!"
"Speaking of…" Gil opened his notebook and turned a few pages. "I have not been able to find anything about what happened to him. There is no record of a U.S. Marshal Gabriel, first or second name. Nor anything about a trial, or where Crane is imprisoned."
"That's because I had him executed in the Precinct parking lot," Nico snarled. "He was Turned Without Consent, and out of control. We were lucky he focused on me after Jane Galloway, or there would have been a hell of a lot more bodies."
"You can't just…" Gil stared at him in shock as what he said sunk in.
"You have no idea what you've stumbled upon, Gil." Nick cut off his outrage, and tossed the photo onto the desk before looking at the board again. "There's a reason we stay hidden."
"So, you are a Vampyre."
He didn't move. "I was Turned in the year 432 AD."
"You were murdered." Grissom stepped in next to him, reading over the historical account. "But your son was spared and went on to defend the Meridius name."
"Don't even ask what I know is about to come out of your mouth."
Gil's jaw snapped shut, as he dug through his papers. "I have so many questions."
Nico ran a hand over his face and into his hair. "How the hell did you figure this out?"
"You left me clues." Grissom reached for his glasses and put them on. "SPQR was one, and then your knowledge of birds was too well informed. It was instinctual, not book knowledge. The way you move around Vegas, like you've lived here a lot more than five years. The skills you showed as a cop were too advanced for your training. And the fact you called me Plebe so many times."
Nico's chuckle was dark. "Note to self: don't take a job with people who love to solve puzzles."
"Oh, I'm sure no one else picked up on it, but I made studying you an art form." Gil shrugged as he continued to go through his papers.
"Stalking!"
He blinked up at his subject, then back at his notebook. "I'm guessing Warrick is your Familiar?"
"You could say that," Nico answered snorting, thanking the Gods that his Boss had leapt to at least one or two incorrect assumptions.
"He knows about you?"
"What do you want from this Gris?"
Gil looked at him, slightly confused. "What do you mean?"
"You just stumbled upon a major secret that could change the world if it got out." He was blunt. Forceful. "What are you going to do with it?"
"Nothing…" Grissom frowned at the thought. "The general mass of people would not be able to handle this information. I'm still processing it. All the myths and histories, mixing in with known facts. Myth tells us Vampyres are blood thirsty creatures of the night who thrive on blood and sexuality. Yet, I'm discovering the reality is far removed. My CSI is a 1600 year old Roman General, who works in daylight, eats foods and can go into church. Do you drink blood?"
"Yes," he answered, simply feeling no need to justify that comment any further.
"I'm a scientist Nick, I ask questions and find answers. It took me so long to accept what I was seeing, but I kept reading the evidence. Normal humans will not accept this."
"Which is why we stay hidden, but now that you know?" Nick pushed.
"I won't do anything to harm you, or Danny," Gil assured, suddenly realizing what he was being asked. "Danny's your lover. You've been together for years. He's why you came back to Vegas."
Nick said nothing.
"I don't mean to threaten you." Gil set the notebook back down along with his glasses. "I just want to know you."
"You were my servant in Rome." Nick didn't even want to look at him.
"That's why you called me Plebe," Gil chuckled wryly. "I can imagine a man of your stature not taking well to having your servant 'ground' you." He even made the air quotes for emphasis.
Nick blinked back the tears that were in his eyes.
"Did Marcus actually…?"
"No!" he snapped. "Don't ask it. Don't say it. I can't talk about it." He already had too many emotions running around his head; memories of Warren, his Mating with Warrick, fears for his children. The last thing he needed was to bring up the death of his family, along with his…
"I'm sorry, Nick. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Too fucking late. I've got to go."
"What now?" Gil asked, concerned.
"You will tell this to no one." Nick growled deep and low. "Seriously, Gil. You have no idea who the fuck I really am. You think you do, but you don't know anything. Not really."
"Then tell me."
"Don't push it. You're not ready." He left the office and headed for the front door.
"So what happens if I push? Will you take me out like you did Crane?" Gil challenged.
Nicolaus never so much as deigned to glance back at him. "We don't kill Plebes," he snarled. "But I would let Harvey off his leash." And with that he stalked out slamming the door behind him.
Gil Grissom had never been so scared in his life.
Nick pulled his car out of the driveway, and headed for home.
He couldn't believe what Gil had done, and was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that his Boss had certainly found most of that amassed information online.
Piece by piece.
Was the existence of the Vampire Community – that had stayed hidden for so many centuries – now in jeopardy because of the Internet, and an irritating bug expert with too much time on his hands? How much would their past lives, public records, photographs, and job records, be found? How soon before other people started putting together the same conclusions?
He pulled off the street into a Strip Mall parking lot, and stopped the car before switching his cellphone back on.
'Nico?'
"Hello Cort, I'm not disturbing you am I? I have no idea what time it is in Australia." He looked at his watch. It was 10am in Vegas so… "God, I suck at these."
'It's 3 in the morning, but I was up for prayers. Julia is still asleep,' Cort assured him. 'How can I help you?'
"I need to talk to Frankie, but don't have my contact list with me, and Richie changed his number recently, which of course I don't have on hand either." Nick grabbed a pen and paper and wrote down the details Cort gave him. "I promise to talk later, thanks."
It only took him a few seconds to dial again.
'This better be good.'
"Frankie, it's Nico," he said quickly. "Sorry to wake you but I need a favor."
He could hear the grumbling, along with Richie's not so subtle curses.
'What can I do for you?'
"The team you got that does that sneaking around and checks security systems? I need them to see what they can find on the Meridii. All of them." Nick gave him a brief rundown on what had occurred in the past few hours. "I'm worried. If he can find that much without hacking any systems, what could someone find if they did?"
'I'll get Martin on it.' There was a pause. 'Want me to check into this Grissom character?'
Nick paused for a few moments, but his answer was inevitable. "Yes."
Hanging up, he tossed his phone onto the passenger seat, and ran his hands over his face, growling in frustration. Then he reached for his phone a second time.
'Nicolaus?' Aubrey's voice boomed in his ear. 'What a pleasant surprise.'
"Jack." Nick couldn't help but smile. He had really missed his brother lately, and wished he could talk to him more, but it simply wasn't the time. "Not a social call. I need to talk to Lucas."
'As a matter of fact he is right here, playing chess with the good doctor.'
There was a muted conversation before Lucas came on the line.
'Nick?'
"I need a favor." He knew what he was about to ask might seem like overkill, but if there was any possibility that his family members could be in jeopardy because other people might find out who they really were, then he needed to learn how to protect them.
'Sure.' He sounded excited. 'Going to let me update Caesars security systems? Or the network at the Manor?'
"I need you to teach me what you do. All of it."
Lucas listened to what Nick was asking, and also what he wasn't asking. 'Let me put something together and send it your way. I can teach you the ways of the Hacker, sure enough. Baby steps, Nico.'
"When there's a moment to breathe, come by the Manor," he paused, "I'll even let you bring your Papa."
'Haven't been to New Orleans in a while. Mardi Gras is coming up!' Lucas chuckled, then handed the phone back to Aubrey.
'Do I want to know, Nicolaus?' Jack asked with some concern.
"I'll talk to you later, my brother," Nick answered. Then he hung up with a sigh.
The only thing left to do, was get home and face Warrick.
Warrick had been fielding calls for two hours, and he was going to kill Nicolaus the moment he saw him.
He had woken from a dead sleep, when he felt cold shock slam through him, followed by fear, then anger.
Climbing swiftly out the bed, he'd grabbed his phone, dialing Nick's number.
Only to get an abrupt, inexplicable answer.
He'd dialed again.
And got voicemail.
Staring at the phone in his hand, he'd cursed his Mate in a few dozen languages, then added a few more for good measure.
Within seconds, his cell began to ring.
"Thomas," he answered, with a heavy sigh and dramatic eyeroll.
'I cannot reach Master Nico.'
"I know. He told me I would need to field calls, just before turning his phone off." Warrick growled lightly. "He was over at Grissom's…"
'Should we send Brass there?' he asked.
"I’m not sure yet. Let's give him an hour or two, then we'll send in the Marines." He balanced the phone between his neck and ear, while pulling on some jogging pants.
'You mean the Pirates?' Thomas chuckled softly. 'Kindly keep me posted, Master Warrick. I shall field calls here at the Manor.'
Over the next two hours, Warrick heard from Speed, who seemed to be more concerned than usual. Then there was Tony, follow by Arthur who was actually the hardest to get off the phone. He practically hung up on Lady Heather, since at least half of this nightmare was her fault anyway. But he knew she would just arrive on the damn doorstep herself if he didn't give her something.
By the time he got everyone settled, he was two seconds from heading to Gil's house, when Nick waltzed in with a stunned expression on his face.
Warrick tossed the phone onto the coffee table, and watched in silence as his Mate barely looked at him before making his way down the hall toward the bedroom.
"Nick!" He followed, watching his Mate strip and toss his clothes into the hamper. If he wasn't ready to kill something from sheer frustration, he would have laughed at the fact they all missed. Again. "Nick!?"
"Warrick?" Sylum's Clan Leader glanced over his shoulder at him, almost like he was shocked to see him there. "Shower first…"
"What the hell happened!?" he demanded, stalking into the bathroom, watching as Nick seemed to close in on himself.
His Mate was refusing to look at him, and desperate for a shower…
He didn't?
He better not have!!
Warrick would kill Grissom with his own bare hands.
"What did he do to you?" he demanded, yanking the shower door open as Nick slammed it shut.
"What?"
The water started running.
"Gil!" Warrick looked his Mate up and down checking him over for bruises or marks.
Nick reached for the soap. "What do you think he did?"
"Did he force himself on you?" He stepped into the shower, not caring that his jogging pants were getting wet. Tipping Nick's chin up, he forced him to look him in the eye.
"Are you serious? Seriously, serious with this?" Nick shrieked, totally channeling his kid. Again. "What the hell kind of question is that? I mean, do you see me as that much of wilting flower, I can't take out a middle-aged entomologist who hasn't stepped into a gym since Reagan was in office?"
"I know you would allow a situation to happen, only to keep from harming a human," Warrick pointed out sternly.
Nick jerked away from his Mate. "No one touches me unless I allow it," he growled.
"Do I need remind you how we met, Lord Leavy?"
"Do I need remind you how you were not in charge of that moment, Captain Calhoun?" Nick spat back an old accent creeping into his words.
"You surrendered to me, to protect the passengers, and your kids."
"I surrendered because I knew you were my Mate!" Nick snarled back. "If you think for one moment, that you did anything to me in those three days that I didn't want…" He pushed Warrick away from him. "The circumstances were not of the best, but not for one moment was I unable to toss your arse clear across the room if you pushed me too far."
"Which proves my point that you would submit!" Warrick startled when Nick's left hook slammed into his jaw.
"You will consider your next words carefully, Pirate!" Nico's tone was not to be argued with. "It is one thing to give myself to my Mate, quiet another to allow a Plebe to touch me in that way. You would do good to remember that not even Razi had that privilege, so do you think I would allow my servant such intimacies?!!?"
Warrick snarled, grateful for the huge shower unit, pushing Nico back against the wall, and taking his mouth in a heated kiss. "I know you, General," he panted against the lips he just bruised. "You would not see a friend harmed, and I will not see my Mate get hurt because an old man has a crush."
Nick pulled him closer, returning the kiss just as hard. "Gil didn't make a move on me."
He cried out as Warrick hefted him up in his arms a few inches, spread his thighs, and slammed into him without any prep or warning.
"Mine!" Warrick growled as he Claimed what was his. "I'm tired of him making moves on you. You belong to me." He thrust hard and deep, marking what was his, so there could be no doubt. Biting into Nick's neck as he came with a snarl, there followed the warm splash of his Mate's own release as the Bond flared brightly around them.
Without a word, he pulled out of Nick, then yanked him out of the shower, shoving him towards the bedroom.
But Nick's feet caught on the bathroom rug, dragging them both onto the floor. Warrick looked down in time to see that beautiful firm ass he just pounded fully presented to him, and memories of their first days together rose easily to his mind. With his Mate face first in the rug, he slid into him easily, once again Claiming what was his.
Nick's fingers scrabbled under him, as he pushed upward, taking each thrust into his body, moaning as Warrick gripped his hips and held him still as he was viscously fucked. It didn't take long for either of them to come again.
Still, he cursed the rug under his feet, swearing revenge against it like the Persian one that had lain in Warrick's Cabin on the Red Stallion. He scrambled to his feet on the wet floor, only to have Warrick's weight push him back down. With a frustrated groan, he slammed his elbow back, straight into his Mate's nose.
"Fuck!" Warrick cursed, moving barely enough for Nick to make it out of the bathroom doorway in one piece.
His freedom didn't last long thought, as Warrick grabbed him around the waist, and tossed his ass onto the bed. Nick lay there on his back watching as his Mate stripped out of his wet jogging pants. When he tossed them in the direction of the laundry basket…
They missed.
Both Vampires were soaking.
The bed would be destroyed, but neither cared.
Nick scooted up the covers, his hands grabbing the bedframe. "Would you like to tie me up, Captain? Or should I just hold on and not let go?"
Warrick growled low in his throat as he reached over and snatched at the long, thin piece of black velvet that was always secured around their bedpost. "Oh, I'll be tying something."
He leaned down and took Nick's mouth in kiss that was softer than the ones which came before, yet just as thorough. His lips moved gently, pulling a passionate moan from his Mate, that seemed to shudder through them both.
Satisfied, he nipped at Nick's bottom lip, then chuckled wickedly as he moved down his chest to his throbbing cock.
Warrick would make sure his Mate was covered with his scent and his marks.
That way, Gil Grissom would know exactly who Nick belonged to.
Catherine had imagined that the awkward assignments would soon be over, but obviously she was wrong.
Gil looked nervous, and kept glancing at Nick.
Nick was standing in the back of the Break Room, leaning against the cupboards, staring straight at the floor, ignoring everyone.
Warrick was glaring at Gil, whenever he wasn't watching Nick.
Men! She rolled her eyes.
"Catherine, where are you on the B&E?" Gil asked, trying to stay focused on the job.
"It was legit." She shrugged. "Guy was drugged out of his mind, broke in through the back window. There had been robberies in the area, so the husband had gone and bought a gun. When the burglar made a rush for the husband, the wife grabbed the gun and shot him. She's still freaked out over the whole nightmare."
Gil nodded. "Paperwork?"
"Filed it with O'Riley," she answered.
"Take Warrick then. There's a multiple vehicle accident on the 5. Driver was going south on the northbound. May well be alcohol related." He handed her the necessary information sheet.
"Sure." She snagged it and looked over at Warrick, who clearly wasn't moving.
"Nick, where are you on your double homicide?" Gil asked.
"Running the second set of DNA," he replied easily. "There are some leads that Brass and I need to follow up on."
"Come see me before you leave."
"Hell, if you think…!" Warrick stood, moving menacingly at their Boss.
He had finally gotten out of Nick just what actually happened earlier that day, and he was still more than ready to Hunt down Grissom and kill him.
His Mate had assured him that everything was well under control, but hell if he was going to let Nick alone with the man any time in the near future! Not without a bodyguard.
Or two.
Maybe three.
"Warrick!" Nick's voice boomed in the small room, effectively sitting Brown back in his seat, and getting Catherine and Gil to stare at him in shock. "I need to see Greg about the DNA, then talk to Brass. If there is time later, I'll talk to you at end of shift."
Gil opened his mouth, ready to retort, but he realized it would be best if he stayed quiet. It was obvious that Warrick was in full-on protective mode, which meant Nick must certainly have informed him about everything.
"Okay, everyone back to work." He grabbed his files and made a dash out of the Break Room, not too keen on sticking around to witness the aftermath of that particular argument. Nor be in local vicinity of a pissed off CSI Brown.
"What the hell?" Catherine sat up in her chair and gestured at Warrick. "I get staking your claim to make sure Gil knows to back off, but did you really have to ride him hard and put him away wet?"
Nick opened his mouth, closed it, looked at Catherine, then over at Warrick, then back at Catherine.
"I take it he didn't know I knew about you guys?" She slumped, sighing heavily. "I kinda figured it out."
"No shit!" Nick stepped away from the cupboard that had been taking his weight. He groaned slightly. After Warrick staked his claim on him multiple times, he had only let him Feed enough to take away the visible marks, so he was still feeling the bruises, and his ass was sore, but it was his Mate's way of making sure he knew exactly who he belonged to.
Like he was going to forget that in a hurry.
"Warrick did tell you I made a move on him?" Catherine brushed her hair from her face nonchalantly.
"He did mention that." Nick looked over at his Mate, lips pursed. "I just missed the part about you figuring us out. Last I heard, I thought you were going with the idea of me being with Danny?"
"It was a good cover story." She grabbed her purse and dug through it, pulling out some aspirins. Then she stood, got a glass of water, and handed both to Nick. "Looks like you need these."
"Thanks." He downed the aspirin and gulped the water with a grateful sigh. "So when exactly did you come clean about knowing?"
"The night you and Gil had your big argument." She sat back down. "I requested Warrick not kill our Boss."
Warrick duly growled.
"The night Gil made a move on me."
Warrick growled a whole lot more.
Catherine held her hands up, and looked genuinely surprised. "Wait! Gil actually made a move? I thought he… that you and him just talked it out." She flailed. "Holy fuck!"
"Hence the 'ridden hard and put away wet'." Nick smirked over at his Mate, who sat through the whole conversation appearing utterly unrepentant. "But someone forgot to mention we were out at the lab."
"I'm the only who knows about you two," she assured him. "Sara is pretty sure you're with Danny, as is Gil."
"It's so refreshing when my love life is prime gossip for the lab." Nick shook his head. "Now, if y'all excuse me, I'm going to find me a DNA specialist and get to work."
"Nick…" Warrick stood, intent on following him out. He really didn't like the idea of Nick being around Gil without backup.
"You have a case with Catherine. Which means you can answer all the detailed questions I know she has about our sex life. I'm going to go check on my DNA, talk to Brass, do my job, and go home." Nick glared at his Mate. "Hopefully in that order."
And with that, he walked out the door.
"He totally tops from the bottom doesn't he." Catherine grinned lecherously over at Warrick.
He glanced back at her, and snorted. "He likes to think he does."
She laughed, grabbing her purse. "It's adorable that you think you're in charge." She padded him on the shoulder.
Two days of Warrick grabbing him at the end of the workday, and staking his Claim.
Two days of bruises, soreness, and a self-satisfied grin on Warrick's face.
Two days of dodging Gil and Catherine, and hiding in Jim's office.
Two days of talking to Van Helsing to make sure everything was secure for Speed and Horatio, and all contingency plans were worked through.
Two days of talking to Thomas, Arthur, Ardeth, Imenand, and a few dozen or so other concerned friends.
By day three, Nicolaus Valerius Meridius took complete charge.
He showed up at Gil's house unexpectedly, and chuckled at the frightened that his Boss wore, figuring it was fitting that he could still put the fear of God into men.
He stalked through the house and into the office, where all the notes and information were still on the wall, like some mockery of the existence he once thought so secret.
"Nick?" Gil asked hesitantly from the doorway.
He read over the notes and papers, still shocked and horrified what Gil had been able to find from Google, libraries, public records, and a few favors from local law enforcement. He was lucky Gil didn't speak Italian, or who knew how much else he would uncover if he searched through Rome.
He looked back at Gil, letting him see the Roman General. "I needed a few days to think about all this." He waved his hand at the wall. "It's implications don't just affect me, but my family, friends, and others in my community."
He had talked for hours with Arthur over the whole situation, trying to determine how much it would be advisable to let Gil know about the extent of Vampire Society. After heated discussions ranging from having Grissom taken out, to telling him absolutely everything, they settled in the middle.
"There are more than just you?" he asked curiously.
"Yes." Nick sighed and shook his head. "I will not tell you who. It's their choice to come out of the closet, so to speak. But there is a community, and we have a set of rules that not only Vampires are expected to follow, but Chosen Ones too."
"Ones who know about Vampires?" He asked the obvious question, nodding. "Familiars."
"Chosen. The rules mean they protect us, as we in turn protect them. So basically, I'll make sure no one comes after you, should you accidently expose another Vampire. And you in turn, don't expose me to the lab or anyone else."
"Makes sense." Gil nodded again. "Can you make sure Warrick knows I'm not the enemy?"
"Oh, that might take a while, but he'll come around someday." Nick chortled darkly. "He won't let this interfere with work, and neither will I. You are the Boss, and I respect that. I just ask for the same courtesy. I'm not a rookie you need to protect. And while I get that you still have a protective streak going on, I can take care of myself."
"I don't think I can stop worrying," Gil admitted, though not very easily.
Nick moved across the room, and was in the man's space in less than a blink of an eye, pinning him to the wall, one hand around his neck. "That wasn't even close to how fast I can really move." His tone was low and threatening. "Do you understand?"
Gil wanted to swallow, but couldn't, and blinked his eyes rapidly instead.
Nick dropped him and stepped back. "Look, Gil, all I wanted was to be a CSI. I went to school, got the education, and you know I'm very good at this. Let me do my job." He ran a hand through his hair. "That's all I'm asking."
"I can do that," Grissom answered. "Do you think we can talk? I do have a lot of questions about everything."
Nick chuckled. "I'm a walking history book in some respects, but my personal story is off limits."
"Deal. So were you General Meridius?" Gil grinned wolfishly.
"Which General Meridius?" Nick smirked.
"The one in the Civil War. The one who yelled at all the other Union Generals. Knowing you ,and looking back at it, it sounds like you."
"Make us some tea and I'll tell you how I met President Lincoln…"
Nick wasn't surprised to find Warrick waiting for him when he got home.
He took his time unhooking his gun, and putting it away, tossing his keys and wallet into the bowl, and scanning the attic for Rogues. Then he slipped off his shoes, leaving them by the small cabinet before making his way into the kitchen, and grabbing himself a beer.
Warrick stood in the living room, arms crossed.
"The situation is handled. At the moment." Nick sipped from his bottle. "Gil knows not to say anything, and as far as he's concerned he only knows about me and Danny. I would like to keep the fact that you’re a vicious Pirate who wants to rip his head off, away from him." He snickered. "For now."
"I still can't believe he found all that out about you!" Warrick threw his hands up. "This could have serious consequences."
"I'm already having that looked into." Nick sipped more of his beer, then set it down on the kitchen counter. "Are you done staking your Claim on my ass?"
A tight, low growl was his answer.
"Too bad, Captain." Nick was across the room in an instant, slamming Warrick face first into the dining room table.
A cleared off dining room table.
Seriously, how had Warrick missed that?
Again?
He kept his weight down over his Mate's shoulders. "I think it's time you remember who you belong to," he whispered hoarsely. "Pirate."
Sara smiled as she walked into the Break Room. Catherine was sitting at the table, drinking a cup of coffee, going through some magazines. She glanced around, but no one else had arrived yet.
"So, did I miss anything interesting?" she asked, walking over to grab her own cup of coffee.
Catherine bit back a smirk just thinking about. In the past few days, Gil had been skittish around both Nick and Warrick. Warrick would snicker lecherously every time Nick flinched. Escalating into Nick stalking through with a self-satisfied swagger, followed by a limping Warrick.
"No, nothing much," she answered easily. "How was your vacation?"
Sara sat down across from her and smiled. "Good. I needed it."
"You do anything?" Catherine closed the magazine she been flicking through and looked at the younger woman, noticing a strong difference in her.
"Not really." Sara sipped her coffee. "I guess you heard the rumors?"
Catherine reached over and patted her hand. "Gil talked to me a bit. He's worried he did more damage than good."
Sara snorted. "Well…" She struggled for the right words. "He's not very observant."
"Hell, no! So how are you doing?" Catherine laughed lightly.
"Nick arranged for me to stay at Caesars. Danny was nice and helpful. If he wasn't taken, I would make a play." Sara shrugged. "I slept. Ate good food. Lounged by the pool. Pampered myself. And slept. Did I mention I slept?"
"Well, you look good." Catherine stood up and moved around the table, pulling her out of the chair and giving her a hug. "I'm sorry I haven't…"
"Hey, I'm to blame for my own faults." Sara stepped back, a small smile on her face. "I just have to work some issues out."
"Well, I'm not the best role model for mental health, but if you need to girl talk…"
"I'll call Nick."
Catherine broke out into serious laughter, just as the two boys walked into the room.
"What did we miss?" Nick asked curiously.
"Nothing." Sara smiled up at him. "Thanks for the advice and letting me crash at Caesars."
"Looks like it did you some good." He walked over to the coffee pot, pouring himself a cup. "So where's Gris?"
"And it looks like we have the full team back," Grissom said cheerfully from the doorway. "Which is good, 'cause we have no cases."
Nick and Catherine groaned at the same time. "Seriously!"
Gil shrugged. "Law of Vegas. Catherine, I could use your help with an experiment. Sara, why don't you work with Warrick? He's going through the evidence on Walter Darian. We're still seeing if any cold cases can be solved. Nick…?"
"I got an interview set up with Brass. We finally found the match to our DNA, only to find out he's dead." Nick frowned, shaking his head.
"Keep me posted." Gil glanced around the room. "Get to work people!"
"You coming over for the game tomorrow?" Warrick asked, as he and Nick headed for the door.
"Watch your team loose? Hell, yeah!" Nick crowed as they left the Break Room. "Good thing you're not a betting man anymore."
"Haha, Stokes!" Warrick glared at him. "My team is going to the playoffs."
"In your dreams!"
Catherine eye rolled at the their antics, then glanced at Gil and Sara, as she stood up. "I'll be in your office."
Gil took her vacated seat. "You look good."
"Thanks." Sara smiled at him carefully. "Well, Nick doesn't seem too upset…"
"It's been a weird week," Gil admitted honestly. "But I think we're finding our groove, and I hope with time you and can too."
"I came here to learn from you, Gris," she reminded him. "I want to continue doing that."
He nodded. "I made some grievous mistakes with you, Nick, Warrick, and even Catherine. But I think we can be a damn good team."
She reached over and took his hand, squeezing it before standing up. "We are a good team. But I know we can be better." She set her empty cup in the sink and headed for the door. "I'll see you end of shift."
Nick found his quiet spot outside the lab, thankful the cameras couldn't see him, or security would be wondering the reason for his grinning so much.
He could hear the contentment and happiness in his kid's voice as they spoke on the phone. Tim had finally Bonded with Horatio over the weekend, and he was more relieved than he could adequately put into words.
Van Helsing had reported that everything went smoothly; no Rogues, and problems in the immediate area. He had also gotten calls from Michael and Marcus, stating the same thing. Frank Tripp texted him to say that he would call once the new love birds settled back to work. Nick wanted a Chosen Ones opinion on just how Lieutenant Caine was handling his Turning.
Speed had called, just after getting into work. He wanted his Papa to know that he had been right all along.
"How are the two of you doing?"
'I'm good. I made sure Chosen Ones and blood packets were available all weekend. After I Turned him, I made sure to feed properly, feeling no ill effects on that side,' Speed answered honestly. 'Horatio's taking to being a Vampire easily. Better than either of us thought. Everything feels different now."
"In a few weeks I want you to either bring him to Vegas, or arrange a meeting in New Orleans. It's time I shook hands with my new son-in-law."
'Oh, hell no!'
"That wasn't a request, Antonio." Nick chuckled wickedly. "He's met Warrick, and knows more about my sex life than I care to admit. So it's time I met him personally."
'We just took the weekend. Hell, H is up in his office growling at paperwork, and I'm not too happy at the amount of tests sitting in my inbox. Give us a few weeks and I'll see if I can get the boss to arrange time off. May be able to figure out how to make it work related. After all, you and Warrick are fellow CSIs.'
"Okay. But I'll keep nagging."
'In exchange for what?'
"Doing me a favor."
'Okay…'
"Call your sister and start harassing her about telling Jethro the truth," Nick ordered. "If he knows you're happy, it may push him into finally admitting things to his own Mate."
'We could always shoot him.'
"It has crossed our minds," Nick chuckled. "I've got to get inside, file my paperwork then head home. Some of us need sleep."
'Has Mom been wearing you out?' Speed teased lightly.
"Do you want me to answer that?"
'No!'
Nick laughed sincerely. "I mean it about coming out to Vegas."
'When we have time to breathe, I'll arrange something. As you know Miami, sleeps about as much as Vegas.'
"Have a good day, my little one." Nick still couldn't keep the smile off his face as he closed his phone and slipped it into his pocket.
He headed back into the lab, finding Warrick walking in the same direction. "Talked to the kid," he said gleefully, a spring in his step.
"And how is the newly married?" Warrick asked with a wink.
"Wondering why he didn't do this six months ago," Nick snorted. "I ordered him and Horatio out to Vegas. We'll see how long it takes for them to actually get out here."
"So now we just need to marry off Tony."
Nick turned his back on the Break Room door, and looked at his Mate. "I still think shooting him is our best option."
"We could ask his Assassin kid," he suggested, "and no one will find him afterwards."
"If he doesn't do anything in the next six weeks, I may just give the Italian a call." Nick turned, opened the door and entered, to find the rest of the team sitting around. "It's good to see everyone working so hard. Just so you know, I actually did solve the case. Brass arrested the suspect an hour ago."
"Do you want a cookie?" Gil looked up at him with a smirk.
"Yes, damn it!" Nick slumped down onto the couch, Warrick taking the seat next to him.
Catherine laughed softly. "Well, Gil owes me a new shirt, pants, and shoes."
"What did you do?" Warrick looked at their Boss.
"It was a blood splatter test, and it gave me the answers that I needed," Gris replied, barely glancing up from his crossword puzzle. "What is nine letters: tail gives nudge of an earlier life form?"
"Vestigial," Nick answered.
Gil's eyebrows shot into his hairline, then he wrote it down, frowning. "You're right. How do you know cryptic crosswords?"
"Amazing what you can learn from Sherlock Holmes," Nick smirked. "So Sara, Danny tells me that you made friends with Charlie."
"I did not!" She glared at him, blushing slightly. "He's so young."
"There are advantages to youth," Catherine pointed, out teasing the other woman.
"He's nice," she answered, ignoring the pointed looks coming at her.
"Well, he has to go through the brother test," Nick eyed her squarely.
"Ahh! Isn't that adorable." Cath smiled at them. "Getting the whole brother and sister thing going."
"Wouldn't that make you mom?" Sara teased.
"Hell, no!" She snorted. "I'm the hot aunt, and we all know Gil couldn't catch someone as hot as me."
Gil glanced up from his paper. "Are you saying I'm the dad?"
"If the Sunday crossword puzzle fits," Warrick added.
"I hate to tell you this, bro'." Nick gave his Mate a sideways glance. "You're adopted."
"Nah, I'm the product of the pool boy!"
They all laughed, the tension from the past few months slowly fading away.
"I hate to interrupt such a lively affair," Brass said, stepping into the room. "We got three dead in an abandoned warehouse."
"We're technically off the clock," Grissom informed him. "Get Day Shift to do it."
"I would, but they have a semi versus a few dozen cars on the 5 during morning rush hour traffic." The Detective shrugged. "So this one is all yours."
Sara sighed, getting up and dumping the rest of her coffee down the drain. "I'll get my gear and grab Greg. We'll need the help."
"I'll meet you by the Tahoe," Catherine called after her. "I need to call Lindsey's babysitter."
Warrick stood, then pulled Nick from the couch. "Let's go. Sooner we get this done, sooner we can come back to work tonight."
"And I had plans for today," Nick grumbled, as he headed for the door.
"Plans?" Gil asked curiously.
"Sleep," he answered with a chuckle. "Then maybe some sleep."
"I may have a notion of what that is, but will have to do more research." Gil tossed the crossword puzzle onto the table. "I'm riding with you, Brass."
"No changing the radio," he muttered. "Your music sucks."
"Would I inflict that on you?" Gil asked innocently.
"Oh, do not pull that with me…" Brass argued back, as they made their way down the hall.
But as the Las Vegas CSI Night Shift headed for their crime scene, they had no idea, how much their worlds would change in the next few hours.
To be continued …
Clan War: Transitions
10th Anniversary Edition