Fic: Last Seen Wearing, Chapter 8 (CSI, Nick Stokes / Greg Sanders)
Title: Last Seen Wearing, Chapter 8
Fandom: CSI
Pairing: Nick Stokes / Greg Sanders
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Feedback: Always Welcome
Notes: Inspired by Jared Cade`s book The Eleven Missing Days
CSI Las Vegas Main List
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
“Morning.” Greg came out of the bedroom, wearing pyjamas and looking like he had just woken up.
Nick was cooking in the kitchen like a deranged housewife on speed. He dumped a load of scrambled eggs to a plate.
“Good morning, sit down. I made breakfast.”
“It’s nine in the morning. Shouldn’t you be going to work or something?”
“We work in the nightshift. I had last night off.”
“So why did you sleep last night? Shouldn`t you keep up a rhythm or something?”
“I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t sleep, so I scrubbed the bathroom. And the kitchen. And the living room.”
“Why?”
“To kill time, dig in. How was your first night?”
“You said I’ve been here before.”
“I mean after the hospital. How was your first night out of the hospital?”
“I don’t know, I was asleep.” Greg twirled around, checking the surroundings.
“Are you looking for something?”
“Wasn’t there a pile of newspapers on the rack when we came here last night?”
“Yeah, I got rid of them. Cleaning up the place and so on.”
“I was planning to catch up a bit.” A sceptical look appeared on Greg’s face. “Nick?”
“Yeah?”
“I have a feeling you’re hiding something. Why don’t you want me to read the papers?”
“Okay, but…. Look, there was a lot of stuff about your disappearance and the whole thing on the papers. I think it’s better if you don’t read that trash.”
“Why not? How bad can it be?”
“You know how they twist things and come up with all kind of stories. You don’t wanna see that. I need to go get some groceries, are you sure you’ll be fine here alone?”
“How far away is the closest store?”
“Two blocks.”
“How long does it take to go there, get groceries and come back?”
“Maybe half an hour.”
“It will take an hour to eat that load of eggs.” Greg grimaced. “Why can’t I have cereals?”
“Because you’re still recuperating. You need to eat a lot of high calorie stuff.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t like to end up in the hospital again, due to a heart attack.”
“You want me to make something else? I could-”
“You could go and get it done! I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Okay, but my cell phone number is number one in your speed dials, I got your phone and wallet from the evidence locker.” Nick grabbed his keys and wallet. “I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t hurry.” Greg poured himself some coffee and let out a long sigh when he heard the slam from the front door. He went to Nick’s laptop and typed the address of the Vegas Daily. When the page opened he chose the search and typed in CSI and crime lab as the search keys. The search came up with forty-two articles. Greg chose the latest one and started reading.
He read one article after another, and almost missed the sound of the doorbell. He went to open the door.
“Yes?”
A man was standing in the hallway. As soon as Greg had opened the door, he forced his way inside. Greg closed the door and grabbed his cell phone.
“Should I call the police?”
“Cut the crap Sanders. I know what you’re trying.” Parson peeked his head to the guestroom, observing the half unpacked bags.
“I was trying to read the news and have my morning coffee when some deranged loonie waltzed in. Tell me why you’re here or get out.”
“I gotta admit, you’re good. You got everyones sympathy, I’m the lab leper and you moved in with Nick. You’re damn good.”
“At what?”
“You fooled everyone, but not me. You did it all on purpose, you planned this whole thing!”
“What thing?”
“Don’t try to look innocent. You remember everything, this is all an act!”
Greg gave him a long look. “I have no idea who you are, but I’m pretty sure I don’t like you.”
“Fine, keep going, but I don’t buy it. Sooner or later you’re gonna slip and-”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Nick yelled from the door. He slammed the bags full of groceries to the table and grabbed Parson by the arm, pulling him to the hallway. He dragged the man all the way down the stairs and out of the building.
“Why are you here?”
“Because you don’t answer my calls! I can’t believe you don’t see it!”
“See what?”
“He’s playing you all like freaking marionettes!”
“Shut up. Greg’s in fragile state and he doesn’t need any kind of stress. You don’t come here, you don’t come anywhere near him. Get it?” Nick’s fingers were wrapping more tightly around the other man’s arm.
“Nick, you’re hurting me!”
“If you talk to him again, I’ll hurt you a lot more. Not a word.”
Neither one of them noticed that they were standing right under Nick’s kitchen window. Or that Greg could hear every word.
When the argument stopped, Greg went to the counter and poured himself another cup of coffee. A tiny, crooked grin appeared on his face.
TBC