Nick sighed.
     "It's like... I feel I don't really know him, y'know? Only the little things he drops in conversation – or when he's playin' around."
     Catherine nodded sagely.
     "Bit of an enigma, you mean?"
     "Yeah. I mean, it should be so easy. We know he's bright as all get out, only child, overprotective mother... we know the things he likes – heck, I've played video games with him often enough!"
     "Yet it's only ever been tidbits. Only the surface."
     "Right! He never really lets anyone in. Even after all this time." Except that one time, when his hands wouldn't stop shaking. But then he backed off again...
     Catherine raised an eyebrow.
     "Have you tried?"
     "Well, kinda. Only he turns flippant and I can't get a serious answer out of him." Why? What is he afraid of?
     "Why the sudden interest?"
     Nick shrugged, turning his head aside and fighting to hide the colour he could feel flooding his face.
     "It's not sudden. An' I'm curious. It's not even easy to tell how he's feelin' most of the time. He's all... frivolity – 'cept when he's focussed on work..."
     Catherine grinned.
     "Ah – he's a case to solve. I see."
     Nick grinned back at her.
     "I guess that's one way of puttin' it. It's too easy to take him at face value – an' I know there's more than that."
     "Keep plugging away, I suppose. Pile on the charm – he'll break, eventually."
     Nick chuckled.
     "Since when has charm worked on Greg?"
     "Again, have you tried?"
     "He's a guy, of course not. He's... like a little brother."
     "So, all the teasing – you're treating him like your brothers treated you when you were growing up? You couldn't tease them, so you torment Greg instead? Did you want a little brother?"
     "I do not torment him!" Do I?
     "What do you call it then?"
     "It's... I dunno. Joking? Camaraderie? Guy-stuff? Not tormenting, anyway." But what exactly is it?
     "Uhuh."
     "And no, I never wanted a little brother."
     "Not that you'd admit to, anyway!"
     "I had more than enough family without that..." He frowned at her. "You tryin' to psych me?"
     "Not my job. Though speaking of which, we should get moving."
     "Yeah..."
     "And as for Greg – keep trying. Take him out for a drink, just the two of you: you'll never get anything serious out of him in a crowd. And not gaming either. Somewhere you can talk without too many distractions."
     "Yeah, OK. Good idea." But would Greg ever agree to it?

Catherine shook her head as Nick strode ahead of her to the car. When exactly had she turned into the nightshift den mother? Though she had to admit Nick was right. Even badly injured after the lab explosion, Greg had been extraordinarily self-possessed, seeming to want to prove he could cope by himself. She wondered if he was still fighting his mother's influence, trying to prove to himself and everyone else that he didn't need anyone to look out for him. He rarely asked for help with anything, after all. Or was he trying to hide something – and if so, what? Now she was curious herself!
     She sighed. Well, if anyone could get through that shiny, sparkly surface to see what was lurking underneath, it would be Nicky. Despite his concerns, she knew they had a solid friendship, even if it wasn't particularly deep.
     And it would be good for Greg to have someone to open up to.