This story takes place before Deep Dark

And is dedicated to Kathy, Suzi and Holly

My three Musketeers

Vicky's "Ambien" Moment

Vicky Nelson had a really bad day, and from the looks of her latest 'client' it didn't look like it was going to improve any time soon. She was glad she'd had a beer with her late lunch, even if it had been only half a salad.

Passion, as the woman called herself, wanted Vicky to see if her boyfriend was seeing someone else. Vicky said she would do her best and after accepting her retainer and contact information showed her to the door. Coreen was as anxious for Passion to leave as Vicky, because as soon as the door was closed:

"Did you see her?" she squealed. "I've never seen so many Tattoos on one person in my life. They were really cool but everywhere, I'll bet she even has one…"

"Coreen, stop it, that's a client" Vicky tried to reprimand her, but was trying so hard not to laugh it lost all effect. "She did have a bunch didn't she? And did you see the one on her neck? It was a snake coiling around to bite her."

"I know I loved that one, and I was reading an article on tattoos the other day and it said that most people who are really serious about them shave or wax themselves every day so they can see them clearly. And the debate was on which was better, long term on the discoloration or damage done to the tattoo."

"Your reading habits never cease to amaze me" Vicky said as she headed back to her desk.

"You can't fool me Vicky Nelson,' Coreen yelled to the closing office door ' I know your reading the latest Harry Potter book right now." And she was right.

Just then a delivery arrived at the office for Vicky. A few minutes later they left the office and headed to Coreen's apartment for some dinner.

"Hope you don't mind if we make this an early dinner, but I've got a date tonight and just let her sentence run off but the meaning was clear….need you gone so we can have sex. Which was fine with Vicky, she wanted an early night also, and had plans to finish reading the Deathly Hallows.

When Coreen was in her small kitchen making some omelets Vicky opened the package from her Mother. Picking up her cell she called home.

"Hi mom, yes it's me, how many other people call you mom? Anyway what's with the bottle of water?" the package had been a container of bottled water. "Yes I know I've been under some stress lately, yes I know I need plenty of rest, yes vitamins too, I'll drink it mom I promise, yes tonight mom. Night mom." And she hung up. Then she muttered to herself 'Yes mom, of course mom, your driving me batty mom'

Coreen stood there with two plates in her hand and a big grin on her face, "I just love Marjory, she is so much fun" and handed a plate to Vicky. "Yea a real riot, if you don't have to live with her" was Vicky's reply.

"So what did she …? Vicky held up the small bottle of water. "Oh, ok, why?"

"Made me promise to drink it tonight before I go to bed, said the vitamins she added to it will do me good."

"Sweet" and she handed Vicky a large glass of White Wine. "Thought this might go well with dinner."

"Thanks for the drink. After the day I've had I may have two" Vicky said and they both laughed. As they were finishing of their eggs Vicky looked at the small bottle of water. 'Oh what the hell' and drank it down.

About an hour later there was a pounding on the door.

"Coreen let us in, now, or I'll kick it in" Mike yelled.

"I'm coming, just a second" She reached the door and as she unlocked it Mike and Henry both stormed in.

"Where's Vicky, what's wrong?" Mike demanded. "In there" Henry replied as he pointed to the bedroom. "How do you do that? No never mind I don't want to know." And they headed towards the closed door and walked in.

"She's stoned! You called to tell me to get over here fast because she's drunk?" Mike demanded.

"I'm sorry I didn't know you were at the office with Henry, I called your cell remember. And she's not drunk she's been drugged." Coreen said obviously upset.

"How, who would have drugged her?" Henry asked with concern in his voice.

"Her Mother" Coreen said simply.

"What?" they both exclaimed.

She explained about the bottle of water Marjory had sent and how she'd made Vicky promise to drink it. Then how about 10 minutes afterward Vicky started acting really weird and even locked herself in the bathroom. She'd become concerned when Vicky tossed out her clothes, closed the door again and turned on Ian's old electric razor.

"So you freaked because she shaved her legs?" Mike asked a bit calmer now that he knew they wouldn't need CPR.

"Not her legs" and Coreen just nodded her head lower and looked at their groins.

Henry had to fight back the laugh that rose to his lips, "You mean she 'did a Britney'? And let the question fall. He looked at Mike and they both burst out laughing.

"Not quite….she…a…left a…small pattern."Coreen stammered somewhat embarrassed for her friend.

"OH You've got to tell us Coreen, no turning back now." They urged her to finish and tried to hold back the laughter as she told them.

"Ok, she left a lighting bolt, you know like Harry Potters."

That did it, they couldn't hold it back any longer, both men had to sit down they were laughing so hard. Tears were forming in Mikes eyes and Henry was holding his side.

"You guys can't let her know I told you that" she pleaded knowing full well that they would both tease her about it at every chance. "Come on it's not her fault her mom slipped her a Mickey." They laughed louder. Henry got control of himself and asked Coreen where the water bottle was. Inhaling deeply he said "It's a sleep aid of some sort, but that shouldn't have affected her this way."

"It might with the wine we had at dinner" Coreen added, "We split a bottle".

"That would do it" Mike added with only a chuckle this time. "Don't you know never to drink alcohol with this stuff?"

"We thought it was water, that's beside the point you need to get her out of here, I'm expecting company soon and this would definitely put a crimp in the evening, if you know what I mean."

"Ok we'll take her home and put her to bed, her bed" Mike emphasized. "Of course,' Henry added 'there are rules about such things you know."

Henry picked Vicky up off the bed after Coreen had covered her with an oversized t-shirt. She gave Vicky's clothes to Mike and they carried her out of the apartment.

Looking at each other Mike said "We are so going to have to tease her about this."