Title: Coming Out
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: PG
Summary: Nick and Gil tell their friends about their relationship
Series: What do a Gunny Sergeant and Entomologist have in Common?, Coming Out, Inter-Agency Cooperation, and Haunting Memories
***
Catherine knocked on Grissom’s door, alerting him to her presences as she walked into his office. She sat down in the chair in front of his desk, giving him a warm smile. Grissom smiled back, holding up a finger to indicate that he would be a minute. She fiddled with her jacket, barely listening as he gave short answers to whoever was on the phone.
Grissom hung the phone up, slipped off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. As he replaced his glasses he looked up at Catherine, “How can I help you?”
Catherine smiled at him, “Actually, I was just wondering how the conference went? How was Nick’s presentation?” She noticed the grimace that went across his face, “Tell me you didn’t screw that up?”
“I missed it,” Grissom admitted. He still felt guilty, even though Nick had forgiven him.
Catherine stood and glared down at Grissom, “GOD! GRISSOM! How could you forget that!?”
Grissom glared back, his eyes darting at the door. “I didn’t mean to, I just…”
Catherine stalked over to the door, Grissom jerked as she slammed it shut. “You forgot! That was a big moment for Nick.”
“I know,” Grissom leaned back in his chair. “He read me the riot act at the conference.”
“I would have killed you,” Catherine slumped back into her chair. “God, Grissom. That was not just unprofessional as his boss, but to forget that big of a moment as his partner.”
Grissom looked up at her in shock, “What?”
Catherine smirked straightening up in her chair, “Oh, come on. You didn’t think you kept it a secret?”
Grissom leaned over his desk staring at her, “Yes, I thought we did. As a matter of fact, one of the deals I made to make it up to him was to come clean to you and Warrick.”
Catherine shrugged, “I’ve known for a few months, don’t know about Warrick.”
“A few months?” Grissom smiled, “Took you that long?”
“How long have you to been seeing each other?” Curious, Catherine got up and sat at the edge of his desk.
“A year,” Grissom inwardly cheered at her shocked expression. “Breakfast plans?”
“No,” Catherine stated, eyeing him carefully.
“Nick and I would like to invite you over for breakfast after shift.” Grissom informed her, “He makes a great omelet.”
Catherine eyebrow rose “Yeah I know, sometimes he would invite me over after a hard shift.”
Grissom stood up and grabbed some folders off his desk, “Now that’s settled, we have a DB in a dumpster behind a Chinese restaurant.”
Catherine grimaced, “I just bought this shirt.”
***
Warrick leaned up against the kitchen counter watching Nick move about the kitchen. Warrick sensed something was up, but just couldn’t place it. “You want to stop fidgeting with the coffee maker and tell me what’s going on in that Texas brain of yours?”
Nick stopped fidgeting with the coffee maker, laughing slightly he turned towards Warrick, “That obvious?”
Warrick grinned, “It normally doesn’t take you ten minutes to make a pot of coffee.”
Nick laughed while he switched on the coffee maker, pulled out two coffee mugs and set them on the counter. He stared at them for a minute, then turned and leaned up against the counter, across from Warrick. Warrick watched a flux of emotion run across his friends face.
“Hey man, whatever it is, everything will be okay.” His voice showed full of concern.
Nick smiled shyly, “Did I tell you how the conference went?”
Warrick forehead furrowed, “No, did something happen during your presentation?”
Nick hesitated for a second, “Gris forgot.”
Warrick’s mouth dropped. He looked at Nick eyes wide, “Man, that’s low.”
“Well, you know him,” Nick shrugged. “He meets a fellow Entomologist, and well, the world just disappears.”
Warrick eyed him, “That’s not an excuse! If he was my lover, I wouldn’t be as forgiving.” Warrick guessed this was part of the sudden breakfast invitation.
Nick laughed, “Didn’t get past you, did we?”
“I’ve only known for a few months, how long? I’m dying to know.” Warrick asked.
“A year,” Nick said, as he turned and began fixing them each a cup of coffee.
“And breakfast?” Warrick took the offered cup.
“I was tired of no one knowing, so I demanded we come clean to you and Catherine.” Nick walked past Warrick into the living room.
Warrick sat in the overstuffed chair facing the couch, as Nick sunk into the corner of the couch. “I take it he’s talking to Catherine?”
“My bet, like you, she already knew,” Nick sipped his coffee. “I was just tired of the little ‘I know you know but won’t say anything’ between us.”
“And Sara?” Warrick wondered, that could be a sticky situation, even though she seemed lately to be doing better, but one couldn’t tell, since Sara was good at hiding.
“Wait and see,” Nick’s voice held a slight worried tone.
“So how did the presentation go?” Warrick changed the subject, watching Nick relax.
”Considering it was minus one supervisor, it went well. I had a lot of people interested in my theory. As a matter of fact, one or two labs interested in helping with the research, I’ll talk to Gris later about inter-lab collaboration.” Nick smiled, he had worked hard on his presentation and was proud it had gotten a good reception. “Met a guy from NCIS…”
”NCIS?” Warrick interrupted.
“Naval Criminal Investigation Services,” Nick answered. “Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, we had a lot in common.” Nick grinned at Warrick, “Let’s just say we sat across the street from the hotel toasting our thoughtless partners.”
Warrick laughed and was still laughing when Catherine and Grissom walked into the room. “I take everything went well?” Grissom asked a laughing Nick and Warrick.
Nick coughed trying to regain control, and smiled at Grissom, “He already knew.”
Grissom surprised everyone in the room when he walked over to the couch and kissed Nick. Smiling at Nick’s shocked yet pleased expression, “Same, she already knew. But, at least only for the past few months.”
Warrick looked over at Catherine who shrugged, “Hey, I’m just here for the omelet, and I expect your famous Texas cheese, mushroom and bacon one.” She grinned at Nick.
Nick laughed, as he got up from the couch and headed into the kitchen, “Warrick, I take it you want the same?”
“With tomatoes,” Warrick yelled towards the kitchen.
Nick walked back out with two cups of coffee, “Gil, you want Avocado?”
“We have some?” Gil asked, taking the cups of coffee, handing one to Catherine.
“Just bought some yesterday,” Nick smiled as he headed back into the kitchen.
“Well then, make sure you add some to mine,” Catherine yelled towards the kitchen.
Warrick not to be left out, “Mine too.”
Nick stood at the entrance of the kitchen looking at the three, “Does this look like a restaurant to you?”
“Could I get some hash browns with that?” Gil asked innocently, causing the other two to start laughing. Nick chuckled as he turned back towards the kitchen.
***
The four sat around the table, discussing various topics, having a quiet relaxing morning. Nick brewed a fresh pot of coffee and filled everyone’s mugs, then settle back down into his seat. “Go ahead and ask, I know the two of you are dying to,” Nick smiled at Catherine.
“Now, Nick, would I ever pry into your personal life?” Catherine sipped her coffee, watching Nick over the rim of her cup.
Nick gave her a patient look, “yes.”
“Hey, Warrick is just as much as a busy body as I am. Hence the reason we are CSI’s,” She nodded towards Warrick.
“I’m just honest enough to admit it, so when did the two you hook up and why?” Warrick grinned at Catherine. “I mean you have to admit this came out of left field. I sure as hell didn’t see it coming.”
Catherine agreed then turned towards Grissom, “So Mr. ‘I have no relationships cause of my career’, what changed?”
Grissom just glared at Catherine, “For your information I have had relationships in the past.”
“Terry doesn’t count,” Catherine gave him a look. Then quickly added, “Nor does Lady Heather.”
Warrick looked over at Nick, “I admit I was a bit shocked you were into guys. I mean I could see Grissom being open minded to just about anything, hence Lady Heather,” Warrick glanced towards Grissom. “But you always had the Ladies Man reputation.”
“But did you see me with the Ladies?” Nick asked, a bitter tone in his voice. He hated that reputation.
Warrick opened his mouth then closed it, “No, not really. And in truth you never really talked about anyone.”
“Greg was the one always talking about my supposed sex life,” Nick pointed out.
“So how did you two hook up?” Catherine asked.
“Gil met me at the airport,” Nick smiled remembering that moment. “I was returning from a conference, he surprised me at baggage claim.”
Catherine and Warrick turned to Grissom, “Remember the case where the victim looked like Sara?”
Catherine nodded she remembered it well. Sara had come to her, after Grissom talked with the suspect. “Sara had heard your comments to the suspect. That you’re career was more important than pursuing a relationship. That an opportunity had been offered, but you turned it down, she assumed you were talking about her.”
“But you weren’t were you?” Warrick added.
Grissom shook his head, “No, I wasn’t.”
Flashback
Grissom watched as they escorted the suspect out of the Interrogation Room. His thoughts were in chaos, old regrets mixing in with new. He sat, his eyes focused on the door; he knew it was time to make a decision. He stood purposefully and walked out of the room. He caught Sara walking away from the interrogation room out of the corner of his eye. Another regret, he should have just told her the truth, but how could he have told her when he didn’t even accept it?
He walked to his office, shut everything down, closed his door and headed towards his car. He ignored everyone in his path, a single determination to do what needed to be done. He drove the airport, for the first time in a while he broke speed and traffic laws. He flashed his badge and parked by the curb. He had arrived just as the luggage began to slide down the conveyer belt. He spotted Nick standing off to the side, looking extremely tired.
He walked up with a slight hesitation, just because he had made the decision, didn’t mean Nick would still want him after all these years. “Nick?”
Nick startled turned around dropping his carry on bag. Grissom winced hoping it wasn’t his laptop. “Gris?”
“Thought you might need a ride home,” Grissom explained quickly, picking up the carry on bag.
Nick stood in shock, “Yeah, sure, thanks.” He was in such shock that he didn’t see his bag go by.
“Nick is that your bag?” Grissom pointed to the suitcase with a Texas ribbon tied around the handle.
Nick shook his head and looked as the bag disappeared around the corner. He grinned at Grissom, “Yep, I’ll just have to wait till it comes back around again.”
Nick grabbed the bag and followed Grissom out the door to the Tahoe. “You’re lucky it didn’t get towed,” Nick commented.
“Flashed the badge,” Grissom slipped into the drive seat.
“Wow, abuse of power,” Nick grinned at Grissom. “Any other shocks for the day?”
Grissom looked over catching Nick’s brown eyes, “Maybe a few more.”
Nick looked deep into Grissom’s blue eyes, “Really? Should I be worried?”
Grissom looked away and eased his way into the traffic, “Did you hear about our unusual case?”
“When I talked to Warrick he mentioned something about the victim looking like Sara?” Nick focused on the road in front of him, instead of analyzing the fact Grissom had showed up at the airport.
“It was a bit surreal,” Grissom informed him.
“Grissom, I don’t mean to sound rude, but do you even know where I live?” Nick asked.
Grissom looked over at Nick, “I’ve been there before.”
Nick gave him a half smile, “I moved after Crane, I live on the North side now.”
Grissom blushed from embarrassment, “Sorry Nick, I should have known that.”
“Yes, you should have.” Nick shocked himself as he said it, and obviously shocked Grissom. “I’m sorry Gris that was un-called for.”
”No, it wasn’t,” Grissom giving him a quick smile. “We sort of just let you pick up the pieces as we moved on. So how do I get to your place?”
With a few quick directions they arrived. Grissom pulled up next to Nick’s truck, parked and turned off the engine. The two sat in silence, “Do you want to come in for coffee, since there is something obviously on your mind.” Nick asked as he opened the door and stepped out.
“That would be nice Nick,” Grissom met him at the back of the Tahoe and helped him with his bags.
The two men walked into the house. Nick turned on some lights setting his bags down in the hallway. “Make yourself at home and I’ll get the coffee.”
Grissom quietly scanned the room, it was warm and inviting. The leather couch was under the bay window; an overstuffed chair was on the left hand side of the couch, a heavy wooden coffee table between them. A large TV with complete set up was on the right side of the couch slightly diagonally towards the center of the room. On the wall opposite of the couch was a desk, flanked by bookcases overrun with books. Nature prints were on the walls, looking closer a few looked like Nick had taken them. He always thought Nick had a certain quality to his photos.
“You like?” Nick asked coming in with a cup of coffee.
Grissom hadn’t realized he had been lost in thought for so long. “Yes, it’s you.” Grissom looked over at the Texan, “Warm, inviting, simple and strong.”
Nick looked shocked, covered his embarrassment by motioning towards the couch. “You want to explain why you’re here?”
“The suspect tonight said some things that affected me,” Grissom began slowly. “He took a chance on a young love, and when she found a more suitable younger man he killed them both.” He looked up at Nick, “I told him he at least had the guts to reach out to what was being offered, while I hadn’t.”
Nick watched him carefully, “What do you want?”
“Everything, and it scares me to death.” Grissom answered honestly. “I’m not good with relationships, I’m terrible at expressing my feelings. I guarantee I’ll screw up, but I want everything. But I’m willing to start with what you can give me.”
Nick stood up and walked over to Grissom looking down at him, “Are you sure?”
“No, yes, maybe, I don’t know.” Grissom smiled.
Nick held out his hand smiling, “I can give you everything, but I want it all in return.”
Grissom took his hand, letting himself be pulled into Nick’s arms. “I’m terrified.”
Nick slipped his hand into Grissom’s hair, “Trust us.” Nick whispered before claiming Grissom’s lips. It was a slow sweet kiss.
Grissom rested his head on Nick’s shoulder. “I do,” Grissom whispered.
Present
Catherine couldn’t get the goofy grin off her face, “That’s so…sweet.”
“Sappy, don’t you mean.” Nick laughs.
“So Nick, was the opportunity you turned down?” Warrick asked, “You never had an interest in Sara.”
“Sara has always been a good friend and colleague,” Grissom hesitated, but continued. “Unfortunately she got caught up in my own denial and that is something I’ll have to explain in the near future.”
“So when did this opportunity present itself?” Catherine grinned at the two men.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Nick smirked. “Not telling all of our secrets.”
“Fine, be that way.” Catherine glanced at the clock with a surprised exclamation. “Well if I want to be somewhat fresh for work tonight I’ve got to go.”
”Same here,” Warrick stood up with Catherine. He turned towards Nick, “Thanks for trusting us with the story. Know that I’m behind you on this.” He pulled Nick into a friendly embrace.
“Thanks, man.” Nick returned the embrace.
Catherine gave a quick hug to Grissom, “When you talk to Sara, if you need anything just let me know.”
Grissom smiled, “Thanks.”
Nick walked them out, while Grissom straightened up the kitchen. Nick leaned up against the doorway. “I love you.”
Grissom stopped and looked at him, blue eyes full of emotions. “I don’t know why you do, but I’m thankful. I love you, too.”
“Come to bed, we will clean this up later.” Nick held out his hand.
Grissom took it, and let himself be led down the hallway to the bedroom. The two got ready for bed, in compatible silence. Just before climbing into bed Grissom paused, a thought that had been with him for a while, “By the way, what did you and Agent DiNozzo talk about?”
Nick laughed as he climbed under the covers, “Plan F.”
Grissom smiled settling next to Nick, “I like that plan.” He pulled Nick towards him devouring his mouth. “Unfortunately early night tonight.”
“Yeah,” Nick kissed him softly pulling him into his arms.
“You ever get the feeling we’ll be seeing them again?” Grissom yawned; Nick’s heart beat luring him to sleep.
“Yeah, I do, and if Abby is anything like Tony describes her, I can’t wait for her to meet Greg.” Nick comments just as his eyes close.
NCIS Headquarters
“Tony, Kate grab your stuff,” Gibbs yelled as he walked by their desks.
“What is it boss?” Tony asked pulling his backpack onto his shoulder.
“Two dead Marines found in a very compromising situation,” Gibbs punched the elevator button until the doors pinged and opened.
“Where?” Kate asked slipping into the elevator behind Gibbs.
“Vegas,” Gibbs glanced at Tony.
“Cool,” Tony grinned. “Viva Las Vegas.”