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Title: Crushed
Author: Daniela
Fandom: CSI:Crime Scene Investigation
Pairing: Greg/Grissom
Rating: PG13
Category: Angst, Romance
Series/Sequel: Breaking the Ice
Disclaimers: CSI and its characters belong to Anthony Zuiker and CBS broadcasting company. The author makes no profit and no infringement is intended.
Summary: Grissom pays Greg a visit at the hospital.
Warnings: Spoilers from "Play with fire" and 2. Season, Pre - Slash
Feedback: Yes, please. I will appreciate all constructive criticism.
Email: daniforblue@yahoo.de
Released: July 2003

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Grissom was very tired, but he didnīt feel ready to drive home yet. He didnīt want to be alone. Instead he drove to the hospital. At the desk of the trauma department he asked about Gregīs condition.

The nurse in charge allowed him to visit Greg for five minutes.

Even when he realized Greg was asleep, Grissom sat down on the chair by the bedside.

Greg was breathing deeply in his sleep, looking young and innocent.

Grissom sighed. Why did I come here anyway? To check Gregīs condition personally? Or to watch him sleep? More than ever, Greg was looking like a schoolboy.

His hair is more out of place than usual, Grissom thought amused. It would be much more reasonable to leave, but he was too tired to get up. The last days had been exhausting. The explosion at the lab and Catherineīs involvement, the handling of the messed up cases, director Robert Cavalloīs attitude and finally Sara. Saraīs coming on to him.

Shit! What a mess, indeed! He didnīt know, what to do about her. Maybe he should tell her the truth? Sorry, but Iīm not interested in you. Why, Grissom? Because Iīm more interested in men. Sure. That would be fun. He could almost see Saraīs shocked face.

Greg shifted and moaned in his sleep.

Speaking of men, seeing his boyish lab tech like this made him sad and unhappy. Plus, he felt very uncomfortable about his feelings. He didnīt like them. Not a bit. Shortly after the explosion, he had feared Greg could be dead. He was worried sick, until it had been clear, Gregīs life wasnīt in danger. Grissom didnīt want to feel. Not now. After all these years of loneliness. And now, feelings for Greg? Please God, canīt it be someone more suitable?

Suddenly Gregīs eyelids fluttered and he opened them. He looked confused, didnīt seem to recognize him.

"Hi. Itīs me. Grissom."

Greg blinked amazed. "Grissom! What are you doing here?"

"Just checking on you. Iīm leaving now."

"No. Please stay." Gregīs brown eyes were begging.

"Okay, but just a little bit longer. You need to rest."

Silence. Both didnīt know what to say. They felt awkward.

"Iīm sorry," Greg started finally.

"Huh? What for?"

"For all the trouble."

Gregīs strange statement amused Grissom a lot. "Donīt be silly. You know, it hasnīt been your fault at all."

"Yeah. Catherine told me."

"She was worried sick about you. The whole team was worried."

"Have you been worried too?" The second the question was out of his mouth, Greg regretted it. What was I thinking? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. How could I expose myself like this?

But Grissom surprised him with unusual humor. "Certainly. My best chemist is injured and now I have to deal with Hodges."

Greg grinned pleased, his eyes were shining brightly. Grissom smiled back, with so much affection, Gregīs heart started beating a lot faster. It pounded almost painfully in his chest. Jeez! Donīt be so sentimental. He is your boss! Get him out of your system. He will be never interested in you. He is just nice to you, because youīre in a hospital.

For some time they were quiet again, both were trying to relax. Greg was chewing on his lower lip; Grissom was staring at his hands. Maybe it was the strange circumstances or the pain killers or Grissomīs mild mood, which gave Greg the courage, for what he did next. "Can I ask you something personal?"

"Sure. Go on." Grissom had to be in a really special mood.

"Are you losing your hearing?"

Grissom winced slightly and stared at him.

After a while Greg become very intimidated by his glare and lowered his eyes embarrassed. "Sorry. Please forget it. I shouldnīt have asked you something like this. Itīs none of my business, anyway."

Grissom took a deep breath. "No, itīs alright. I will tell you. Itīs true. Iīm losing my hearing."

"Why?"

"Itīs the same disease my mother has. Itīs genetic."

"Thatīs awful. Iīm so sorry."

"Thank you. Please promise me you wonīt tell anyone else. Nobody knows...at least, thatīs what I thought. How did you figure it out anyway?"

"Iīm a good observer." Another stupid mistake.

Suddenly, Grissom was wide awake. "So, you have enough spare time to observe your boss? Thatīs interesting."

Greg blushed fiercely and Grissom had an astonishing epiphany. Maybe Greg wasnīt fallen for Nick. Maybe he had been blind the whole time.

For the purpose of avoiding more embarrassment, Greg pulled up his blanket and yawned.

Grissom smiled about Gregīs childish trick to change the subject, but he didnīt want to bother him about it. Not now. "You have to go back to sleep now and Iīll leave."

"No. Please stay. Just until I sleep."

"What for?"

"I feel better with you here."

Pure amazement swept through Grissomīs body. He tried to catch Gregīs expression, but the young man had already closed his eyes.

But he went on talking. "Thank you for coming by. It means much to me."

"Well, donīt mention it. Everybody else will pay you a visit. Iīm sure of it."

Greg replied seriously: "Perhaps, but maybe I donīt like everybody." After this brave confession, he drifted off to sleep.

Grissom watched him closely and finally mumbled: "Oh boy, you will cause me a lot of trouble."

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