Is This the End?

Chapter Three

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Nick sighed with relief as he stepped off the plane. He had never liked flying. He always got stuck beside someone that wanted to do nothing, but talk, the entire flight. And, planes were too cramped. With a determined stride he headed toward the airport exit, pulling out his cell phone while he walked. He saw that he already had two messages from Ecklie and one from Grissom. But they could wait. He was here for one reason. Greg.

As soon as he walked outside, he saw several taxis parked in front of the airport, waiting for flyers who might need a lift. He walked over to one and opened the back door. After reciting the address, the driver immediately took off for the destination. As Nick blindly stared out the window, he thought about Greg. What was he going to say to the younger man? Would he be able to convince Greg to ever forgive him? Nick sighed, and leaned the left side of his head against the window for the rest of the silent ride.

About fifteen minutes later, the cab driver pulled to a stop. Nick looked at the building with distaste. Greg's cousin was staying here? Greg was staying here? Nick quickly paid the driver, got out of the taxi and walked toward the dingy building. There was a young, greasy-haired, man with a little tuft of hair under his bottom lip playing the violin. Nick raised an eyebrow as he passed. When he entered the building, he took a slip of paper out of his pants pocket. Refreshing his memory about the apartment number, he took the stairs two at a time. There was no more time to waste.

When he reached the apartment, he stood in front of the door. With a deep breath, he raised his arm and knocked. It took a few minutes, but he could hear rustling inside. The door opened and Justin's head appeared. Justin's eyebrows shot up when he saw Nick. Getting closer to Nick, he closed the door a little and whispered, "What are you doing here?"

"I need to see Greg, Justin." A short pause. "Please."

Justin bit his bottom lip, then gave a short nod. He walked back into the apartment, followed by Nick. Greg was walking from the back hall, when he looked up and saw who was there. His eyes narrowed in anger. First at Nick, then at Justin.

"You let him in?!" Greg had to ask a little louder, when Ethan hit a particularly screechy note.

"Greg, I'm sorry. But you two need to talk. I'll be downstairs with Ethan."

"That guy playin' the violin outside?" asked Nick.

Justin nodded as he started toward the door.

When Ethan hit another extremely loud note, Greg called out, "Close the fucking window, Justin! I can't even hear myself think!"

Justin gave a small chuckle, did as Greg had wanted and left the apartment.

There was a tense, uncomfortable, silence for five minutes. "What are you doing here?" demanded Greg.

Nick sighed. "I came for you, Greg. I love you." Greg snorted. "I do!" protested Nick.

"Then why fuck Grissom? Or, more aptly, why let Grissom fuck you?"

Nick flinched at the anger and pain in Greg's voice. "I don't know, Greg. I know that's a lame excuse, but I don't know. I was drunk, lonely without you there.... it just happened."

Greg sat down on the couch, his head in his hands. When he looked back at Nick, his eyes were wet with tears. "You know what hurts the most? You letting Grissom inside you. The infidelity hurts, but I could've gotten past that, eventually. But you letting Grissom have you... I just don't know if I can deal with that."

Nick couldn't stop the tear that rolled down his cheek. He sat down on the couch next to Greg. "Greg, please!" he begged.

Greg sighed. "Nick, we promised each other to be exclusive. To never let anyone else inside of us. You did. How can I trust you, now?"

Nick felt so helpless. He didn't know what to do... to say. "Please, Greg. I'll do anything. Please give us... give me another chance."

Greg looked deeply into Nick's eyes. Their relationship started flashing through his mind. The day they first met. Their first date at a miniature golf course. The first night they had made love. The first 'I Love You's'. Could he ever learn to trust Nick again? Was there a chance to save their relationship? Greg licked his lips, decision made. He just hoped it wasn't the wrong one.
 

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