Title: Strong
Author: gothikmaus
Fandom: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG-13
Category: Hurt/Comfort, ficlet
Warning: Mention of child abuse
Summary: Everyone knew cases involving children were difficult for Nick; they just didn't know why.
A/N: Inspired by prompt #12 of this prompt list I found on Tumblr: "You don't have to be strong all the time."
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and all related characters are property of CBS. I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.
Nick stormed out of the observation room. Their suspect had just confessed, confirming what the evidence had already made abundantly clear: the man was guilty. He should be satisfied they had closed the case relatively quickly, but he couldn't seem to care.
"Nick? Is everything okay?"
He didn't even turn around.
"No, Greg. Everything's not okay."
Greg frowned.
"But he just confessed. He's our killer."
"Yeah, but the boy's still dead, isn't he?" He ran a hand down his face, the other one clenched into a fist. "He was just nine, for fuck's sake. He was in his own home, with someone he knew. He was supposed to be safe, he…"
He felt his throat close up, and for a moment he couldn't breathe. He forced himself to calm down: having a panic attack was the last thing he needed.
"I'll be right back," he managed to croak out before rushing to the exit.
He didn't stop until he reached his car. He leaned his back against the driver's door and pushed the heels of his hands against his eyes, trying to get his breathing under control. He didn't look up when he heard someone approaching; he knew who it was even without opening his eyes.
Greg leaned against the side of the car, leaving enough space between them so they weren't touching. He didn't say anything.
"Sorry," Nick said when he felt he could speak again. He lowered his hands and turned to look at him. "I just needed a moment."
Greg nodded.
"You don't have to be strong all the time."
Everyone knew cases involving children were difficult for Nick; they just didn't know why. No one did. No one except for Catherine. And this one had hit too close to home: a nine-year-old boy molested and killed in his bedroom by a neighbor who had volunteered to babysit him. Nick could feel his teeth starting to chatter just thinking about it.
Greg reached out and took his hand.
"You know I'm here for you if you ever need to talk," he said, gently squeezing Nick's hand.
Nick nodded. He couldn't tell Greg. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But Greg's touch was reassuring and he could feel himself beginning to calm down.
"Thanks," he whispered. Greg simply smiled at him.
"Let's go back," Nick eventually said, pushing himself off the car and pulling Greg along with him. He only let go of his hand when they reached the door of the lab.
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November 2021