TITLE: Picture Imperfect
AUTHOR: Jennifoofighter
RATING: R
KEYWORDS: MK, DE, Casefile, Angst, MPOV, DPOV, KPOV, Primarily post "Hard Landing" and the series finale, "Undertow."
ARCHIVE: It will be posting exclusively at
THANKS: To every single one of you who reads my fics and more so to the ones who review. Thank you!
EXTRA-SPECIAL THANKS: To Anmodo for all her hard beta work. Thank you so much for all your wonderful insight, comments, guidance, contributions, and catching/correcting all my many grammatical errors. This fic truly would not be possible without you. You Rock and you Roll! You got it all!
DISCLAIMER: Hank and Co. own everything Without a Trace. No copyright infringement is intended. I am attempting to fix what I feel was an incredibly poorly written storyline but considering the material I am working with, it is only my lame attempt. However, heaven knows if I had any influence over the show I wouldn't have had to write at all.
SUMMARY: When Kim Marcus re-enters Martin's life, he discovers that sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is the chance to try and set things right.
~*~*~*~
In a way, I need a change
From this burnout scene
Another time, another town
Another everything
But it's always back to you
~ Shattered (Turn the Car Around) by O.A.R.
~*~*~*~
1310 Meadowlark Street
Westchester, NY
Pressing the incline button on the treadmill, Kim ran faster and harder to try and maintain her speed. It felt good to have this release, to be able to move at her own pace, pushing herself as hard as she could. It was a strange feeling to enjoy running. Normally she abhorred any form of exercise, firmly believing that if she was going to work up a sweat it should be for much more fun reasons that ended with a bigger reward than simple physical exertion. But today, she had so much pent up energy she needed an outlet, a way to expend the anxious adrenaline. Now, feeling the conveyer belt moving under her sneaker clad feet all she could think was how right it was to have the simulated earth moving rapidly beneath her. Lately the world had been spinning around her so quickly, that it finally felt like she was starting to catch up.
Staring out the window as she ran, she watched as the sky turned a soft shade of pinkish gray. The weatherman had reported a chance of overnight snow, which meant the odds were good there would be a white Christmas.
The treadmill beeped a few times as it lowered, indicating that her designated work out was at an end. She walked the last minute before stepping off with shaky legs and grabbing a nearby towel. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, neck and chest as she reached for the Nalgene bottle she had filled with water before her run. Taking a quick swig, she turned and exited the home gym and headed upstairs to the master bedroom feeling equally spent and exhilarated.
As she moved through the bedroom on her way to the bathroom, she glanced at the clock on the nightstand and noted that she had a good two hours before dinner. She set the water bottle on the bathroom counter before reaching into the shower stall and turning it on. She tested the water temperature and pressure with her fingers making sure it was adequate before shutting the glass door to strip down. Toeing off her sneakers, she peeled off the sweat soaked workout T-shirt, socks, pants, and sports bra, tossing the discarded clothes into the laundry bin in the corner. She reached up and pulled off the elastic band, releasing her ponytail and sending her long brown hair cascading down her back. Turning to enter the shower, she caught sight of her wedding band and engagement ring, sparkling brightly on her long tanned finger. She studied them for a bit, considering how naturally they felt on her hand that she almost forgot to remove them. She licked her lips thoughtfully as she ran her thumb along the bottom of the bands, which felt so right when she was wearing them. Sighing with weary sentimentality, she carefully pulled them off and set them down on the small dish on the counter.
She stepped into the steaming hot shower, relaxing under the steady spray of water and savoring the peacefulness of the act. Closing her eyes, she lingered under the cascading water as the warmth spread over her, easing any aches or pains. Opening her eyes, she reached for a shampoo bottle, popped the cap and smiled as she inhaled the sweet scent of Biolage. She poured a dollop of the product in the palm of her hand and lathered it up, rubbing it into her hair and scalp. It still felt strange how light her own hair felt running through her fingertips. She had recently cut off three inches but it was still taking some getting used to when washing her hair.
A short while later when she was done showering, she pushed open the fogged up glass door, and grabbed one of the thick plush towels from the rack. She wrapped up her hair in one and wrapped the other around her small frame. Using her hand, she wiped the steam from the mirror before picking up her rings and sliding them back on.
After doing her face and blow-drying her hair, she padded softly across the lush carpet towards the walk-in closet to find something to wear. Locating a pair of Lucky jeans, a dark gray cashmere sweater and a pair of black Ugg boots, she got dressed and headed downstairs.
Walking through the living room, decorated lavishly for the holidays with garland strung along the banister and poinsettias placed strategically throughout the home, her gaze fell on the eight-foot Christmas tree shining brightly in front of the large windows. She paused and looked up at the angel resting on top, a cherubic porcelain face smiling gently down at her. Taking a heavy breath, Kim ran her thumb once more along her wedding ring and sent up a silent prayer of thanks before turning and continuing on to the kitchen.
She spent the next hour preparing dinner. Early that morning, she had found lasagna in the freezer and had left it out to defrost. After reading the directions, she slid the dish onto the lower rack of the oven, snapped the door shut, and set the timer. Satisfied that the main entrée was handled, she opened the refrigerator and gathered ingredients for a salad. She quickly tore up the head of lettuce and diced up some tomatoes, carrots, cucumber and avocado and tossed them all in a large salad bowl. She wished that there was some red wine in the house but there wasn't a single drop to be found anywhere. When she was done, she placed the bowl in the refrigerator to chill and got to work cleaning up – feeling every bit like Martha Stewart or Donna Reed when the doorbell rang.
Wiping her hands on a dish towel, she started to the front door thinking that dear husband forgot his key. After all, they had just moved in. But as she neared, through the window alongside the door she spotted two people she didn't know standing there expectantly. Tossing the towel onto the table in the foyer, she quickly checked her reflection in the mirror mounted on the wall to make sure she was presentable before turning the doorknob and opening the door.
The air was brisk and Kim shivered as a cold gust passed through into the house. Smiling curiously at the couple, she greeted, "Hello?"
"Hello, I'm Daphne Crawford," the woman greeted with a large smile that revealed teeth that looked too white and too perfect causing Kim to think they weren't natural. Somewhere in the state of New York a dentist made a tidy profit courtesy of Mike Crawford's hard earned money. In addition to her capped teeth, Daphne had a round face with short blonde hair tucked under a lime green knit cap that matched her scarf and gloves. "I'm president of the neighborhood organization." She gestured to the man standing next to her and added, "This is my husband, Curtis."
"Hi there," Curtis said with a small polite smile. He looked extraordinarily ordinary with short brown hair, a round non-distinct face and wire frame glasses. He was wearing a navy blue parka that made his already husky frame seem even larger. Holding a large gift basket, he bore the expression of a man whose wife was always on the go but he would much rather be at home watching sports.
"Hello," Kim replied with a small nod. "I'm Kim Granger."
Grabbing the basket from Curtis, Daphne held it out towards Kim and declared, "We wanted to be the first to welcome you to Meadowlark Street."
"Thank you, that was very nice of you," Kim graciously replied as Daphne thrust the bulky basket into her arms. Shifting the heavy basket against her hip, she met the expectant eyes of her new neighbors and took a step back, tilting her head into the house. "Would you like to come in?"
"Oh, we don't want to be a bother," Daphne replied as she instantly disregarded her own words and moved past Kim to enter the house. "But maybe just for a minute."
Kim led them into the living room and set the basket on the coffee table. She glanced at the contents, mentally cataloging that it contained a bottle of merlot, box of Godiva truffles, and lots of other jars whose labels she couldn't quite read through the plastic wrap. Motioning for them to sit, she said, "Thank you again for the gift basket." She gestured to it and grinned. "I was just wishing I had some wine to go with dinner."
Raising her chin, Daphne sniffed the air. "Italian, right?"
Forcing a smile on her face, Kim nodded. "Lasagna. Good nose," she commented, idly thinking that she'd be a huge asset on a hunting expedition, with her around, there would be no need for a hound dog.
"So what brings you to Westchester?" Daphne asked, her eyes scanning the décor. It didn't take a great intuitive leap to see that the woman was judging and appraising the house – and thus, the couple who resided here. The living room was decorated in soft earth tones with a large cream-colored sofa, worn brown leather chairs and a dark oak coffee table with matching end tables. The artwork on the walls bore the look of authenticity, as if they were original works done by actual artists and not prefab pieces selected because they matched the sofa. Adding in the Christmas decorations, it only added to the ambiance. Guessing by the impressed look on the woman's face, both met with her approval. "Finally decide to get out of the city and maybe start a family?" Kim's eyes went wide at the woman's comment so Daphne quickly backtracked. "I mean, your house is immaculate and there aren't any signs of children. I just assumed," she trailed off, clearly hoping that Kim would bail her out of the awkwardness of her comment.
"No, no kids," Kim replied, her voice sounding sadder than she had expected. She planted a smile on her lips and continued, "Actually, we just moved here from Boston. My husband was transferred for work. He's the Regional Vice-President of Goliath National Bank."
Sitting down on one of the chairs next to Curtis, Daphne's eyes went wide as she craned her neck to look around the house. "Oh, is he home?"
"No, not yet." Taking a seat opposite of them on the sofa, she glanced at her watch and saw that he should have been home by now. "He works in the city and we haven't mastered how long the commute will take quite yet."
"That'll happen soon enough," Daphne replied, patting Curtis on the knee. "This one works for Spencer Advertising and I could set his ETA like clockwork." She paused and amended, "Well, once in awhile, it can be a gamble on what time he'll be home if the traffic in the city is bad."
Curtis nodded, looking bored, and something told Kim that maybe any delays returning home were more voluntarily than traffic-related.
As if on cue, they heard the door from the garage open up and the sound of footsteps in the kitchen.
"Speaking of the devil," Kim said as she quickly stood up to intercept her husband on his way into the living room so she could warn him of their unexpected visitors. She got as far as the archway into the dining room when he appeared. She quietly cursed his long legs and her short ones as she hurried towards him.
He stopped short at the sight of strangers sitting in the living room so Kim quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Pulling back she asked, "Hey honey, how was your day?"
Smiling down at her, he breathed, "It was…it was good."
She stepped back and gestured to their guests seated in the living room eagerly watching them. "Sweetie, these are our new neighbors, Daphne and Curtis Crawford." He nodded and stepped forward towards where they sat as she delicately ran her hand along his arm and looked at the couple. "This is my husband, Martin Granger."
Extending his hand and offering up one of his beatific dimpled smiles, Martin greeted, "Hello. Nice meeting you."
As the Crawford's each shook Martin's hand, Kim asked, "Would anyone care for something to drink?" She stood up and thumbed in the direction of the kitchen. "I have coffee, tea…"
Waving her off, Daphne rose and said, "No, no that's alright." She motioned for Curtis to follow and started to the door with her gaze shifting happily between Martin and Kim. "Normally, I would love to sit and chat but I have three boys at home and if I leave them alone too long the living room becomes like the Thunderdome," she laughed loudly as she held up her hands in mock fists and with a deep, guttural tone added, "Two men enter, one man leave."
Kim smiled with a slight nod of the head. "Of course, another time then."
Curtis, showing the first signs of life, slapped Martin on the back and boisterously said, "I try telling her that's just how boys play. Am I right?"
Chuckling, Martin agreed. "Yeah, I always thought my mom wanted us to play outside to get fresh air but now I think she was just afraid we'd break stuff if we stayed indoors."
"Tell me about it," Curtis replied, walking alongside Martin as they headed to the front door. Leaning in close, he looked Martin square in the eye and with a serious expression on his face, he asked, "You golf?"
Meeting the man's eyes and looking equally serious, Martin proudly replied, "Seven handicap."
Grinning brightly, Curtis reached out and grabbed Martin's hand again and said, "Welcome to the neighborhood! I'm already calling dibs that you are partnered with me!" Shaking Martin's hand profusely, he exclaimed, "As soon as it stops snowing, you and me at the club. Deal?"
"Sure," Martin replied, carefully extracting his hand from the other man's grip.
The two couples reached the front door and Martin pulled it open as Daphne and Curtis started to exit.
As soon as they passed, Martin wrapped his arm around Kim's shoulders so she snaked her own around his waist. Tucking a strand of hair behind an ear, she watched as their new neighbors started down the front steps and said, "Thank you again."
"You're welcome," Daphne replied when she stopped abruptly and turned around. "I almost forgot." She stepped back towards the door. "The official neighborhood Christmas party is tomorrow night at our place." She pointed to the large colonial brick house at the corner of the block. The white Grecian pillars were wrapped up in large red ribbon that made them look like giant candy canes. Each window was adorned with a Christmas wreath and Christmas lights hung from every possible hook, tree limb or ledge. On the roof sat mechanical reindeer with lights blinking so fast it looked like their legs were moving. On the lawn sat a giant plastic snow globe with an eerily cheerful looking snowman inside waving at anyone passing by. No doubt that even Santa Claus himself would think it was a tad too much. "It's at seven p.m. and everybody in the neighborhood comes so it's a great chance for you to meet the rest of the neighbors. Even the David's come," she lowered her voice to a whisper as she added, "and they're Jewish."
Sharing a look with Kim, Martin smiled and replied, "Well, then we'll be sure to be there, too."
Clapping her hands together, Daphne exclaimed, "Fabulous! It really is the most fun…"
"They already said they're coming, hun, you can stop selling them on it," Curtis judiciously interrupted, putting his hands on his wife's shoulders. He winked at them as he guided his wife down the steps. "Let's leave them to their dinner."
"Right, right," Daphne agreed, giving them a final wave goodbye before turning and walking down the front steps.
Martin and Kim stood there with their arms wrapped around each other, watching them leave. She sighed, thinking that to the Crawford's and anyone else observing, they would look like a picture perfect couple. They waited until Daphne and Curtis were safely on the sidewalk before giving them one final wave goodbye and turning to enter the house.
Feeling Martin's arms loosen around her shoulders, she quickly stepped free of his embrace, and entered the house ahead of him. She moved back into the living room and glanced at him over her shoulder as he locked the door. She stepped up to the gift basket to inspect the contents more fully, spotting a few items she missed the first time. "They brought us a basket to welcome us to the neighborhood." Grinning, she turned around to face him and cheerfully asked, "How do you want to divvy it up?"
Sliding the lock into place, Martin turned around to face her. His smile from earlier had faded as he stared back at her with dark eyes. "I don't want any of it." His voice was level but there was no mistaking the sharp edge to his words. "Do whatever you want with it."
Her expression fell at hearing his tone but she grappled to find a way to make a connection. "Are you sure? You haven't even seen what's in it and there's some…"
"Like I said, it's yours," Martin gave her a final nod of dismissal before heading up the stairs. With his back to her, he added, "I'm going to take a shower."
"Dinner will be ready in…" she called out to his retreating form as he disappeared up to the second floor when she heard the door slam shut, "…half an hour."
Sighing heavily, Kim wrapped her arms around her chest and scanned the room sadly as she thought about how pretend time was now over. It was time to face the cold reality of what her marriage to Martin was really about.