Cutting My Losses

Warrick woke up to a familiar scene the next morning. There was a loud, blaring alarm clock going off on the nightstand. Greg, pressed closely to his side, was repeating "turn it off, turn it off, turn it off" into a pillow. Warrick knew from experience, that Greg wouldn't move to turn off the alarm as long as there was someone else there to do it for him. So he rolled over his boyfri...his ex...his...Greg and turned off the alarm clock.

"You're squishing me." Someone was ready to face the world.

Warrick settled his weight more firmly on Greg. "You know you like it."

Greg's arms found their way from between their bodies to wrap around Warrick's shoulders. "Yeah. I do."

Warrick dropped a kiss on Greg's collarbone, his neck, the soft space below his ear, before bringing his lips to Greg's. The kiss was soft and easy, a simple "hello." Warrick was the first to pull away. He locked eyes with Greg. "You know, we probably should have talked last night."

"Talking isn't exactly our strong suit."

Warrick ran his thumb over Greg's lower lip. "No, it isn't. I'm sorry. I just wanted this...you so much."

Greg's hand moved to Warrick's stubbled jaw, "the feeling was mutual."

Warrick leaned into Greg's caress before taking Greg's hand in his and intertwining their fingers. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand at the side of the bed. "I have a workshop in twenty minutes."

"You know, somehow that whole conference thing slipped my mind."

Warrick grinned. "You were preoccupied." Warrick slipped out of bed and Greg sat up to watch him walk to the bathroom.

"I guess you could say that."

Warrick continued his conversation from the bathroom as he was brushing his teeth. After a month or so of dating, and more than a few instances of Warrick trying to talk while his mouth was otherwise occupied, Greg had mastered the art of translating Warrick's garbled speech for what it was. "We could meet for lunch to talk if you want? We should talk. I'll have a couple hours between sessions."

Greg answered from the bedroom. "Yeah, that sounds good to me."

Warrick walked out a minute later and planted a minty-fresh kiss on Greg. "Good."

XXXXXXXXX

Greg waited in the hotel's restaurant. Justin had visited while Warrick was attending the conference. Greg was able to thank his friend and say his final goodbyes. Because after last night there was no doubt in his mind that he'd be returning to Vegas. He and Warrick hadn't made any commitments or promises. They weren't back together. But, last night had given Greg hope. If there was even a slight chance that he'd have even a fraction of what he had before with Warrick, then he would take it. In fact, he had called Grissom that morning and told him he'd be returning to the lab right after the conference.

He watched as Warrick walked across the restaurant. He was stopped along the way by a few fellow CSIs offering him a seat. He'd smile, decline, shake their hand, and offer a rain check. Warrick was the best networker in the lab. It came natural to him. It's probably why he ended up handling more cross-jurisdiction cases, attending more conferences, and getting more articles published than anyone in the lab with the exception of Grissom.

When he finally arrived at their table he bent down to give Greg a hello kiss before sitting down. "Hey. Did you get a chance to order yet?"

"No, I was waiting for you." They passed time with small talk as they placed their orders and waited on their food. Warrick told him about the workshop he just attended and explained a few principles to Greg, feeding Greg's desire to become a CSI.

Halfway through their meal, Warrick started a monologue that sounded a little rehearsed, if not genuine. "I want you, Greg. I'll always want you. And I want us to work. I want us to be together for as long as you'll have me. I'm not good at relationships. I'm a pessimist at heart, always waiting for the other shot to drop...and I'm working on that. I will work on that, at least when it comes to this...us. I know I fucked up, and I know I'll fuck up again--"

"Hey, I fucked up too, Warrick."

"Yeah, you did."

Greg responded dryly. "Thanks."

Warrick smiled. "Anytime babe."

"So, we're back together?"

"Only if that's what you want."

"I never wanted us to be over in the first place."

"Then, yeah. We're back together."

Greg slumped back in his chair and tried to keep the smile off his face. "It feels a little anti-climatic, don't you think?"

"What, you're not thrilled to be back with me?" Warrick started paying for the bill that had been dropped at their table minutes earlier.

"I guess you're okay..."

Warrick stood up and reached for Greg's hand. "Come on. My session starts in 20 minutes. Let's find a bathroom to make out in."

XXXXXXXXXX

Now we request your full attention as the flight attendants demonstrate the safety features of this aircraft. Greg contemplated his and Warrick's future as the flight attendant gave her safety spiel. "So, I'll get to meet your grandmother." It wasn't a question.

We suggest that you keep your seat belt fastened throughout the flight, as we may experience turbulence."And you'll wake me up every time you have a nightmare."

"You'll let me hear you play for real this time."

There are several emergency exits on this aircraft. Please take a few moments now to locate your nearest exit. In some cases, your nearest exit may be behind you."You won't leave when things get hard."

"You won't make any decisions about us without talking to me."

If you are traveling with someone who requires assistance, secure your mask first, then assist the other person."You'll tell me when you need me."

In the event of an emergency, please assume the bracing position."Even when we're both acting like complete idiots, we'll remember that we still love each other?"

Warrick smiled. "We'll try."

Greg asked in mock shock. "Try? Don't you have this whole relationship thing figured out?"

Warrick laughed. "Not by a long shot."

You will find this and all the other safety information in the card located in the seat pocket in front of you. We strongly suggest you read it before take-off. As the plane took off, Warrick reached for Greg's hand, intertwining their fingers. "But we'll figure it out together."


THE END THE END THE END THE END

That's all folks!