~Prime Suspect~ Minyadagniriel
Ch 1: Little Pranker
"L! Your son replaced the sugar with salt again!" Rachel yelled to the upstairs bedroom.
One floor up, L was getting himself ready to take Zach to school. He could hear Rachel shouting up the steps and he smacked his forehead. Boy that kid was the polar opposite of how his first three children behaved at that age.
Zach had recently turned seven and was in attendance at Wammy's for nearly two and a half years. He lived at home with Rachel and L, a dorm wasn't required since the family lived on campus. His grades were pretty high but his behavior in class was not so good…pulling practical jokes got him sent to the office a lot.
"L! Did you hear me?"
"Yes dear," L shouted out his bedroom door.
"Good, because he's your son before nine a.m!"
L laughed and continued to type on his computer. He was sending a response to another one of Near's emails. There were times when he needed some advice about cases, other than that he was doing just fine on his own. After finishing the letter he turned off the monitor and got up from his seat, time to fetch Zach for school. He left his room and wandered down the hallway to his son's bedroom.
When he first entered, the room was empty…but that was normal for a morning. L stepped in front of the closet and began counting…
"Three…two…one…"
As expected, a little boy with a nerf gun leapt out of the closet and began shooting little sponge arrows at him. L caught all six of them and let them drop to the floor and he rushed in to pick up Zach, whom started struggling until his father flipped him upside down and carried him out into the hallway.
"Don't drop me daddy!" Zach shouted.
"Why would I drop you?" L teased, "If I did that, you wouldn't be able to go to school."
"Drop me, drop me!"
"No…"
He carried his son downstairs and joined Rachel in the kitchen.
"L! I wish you wouldn't carry him down the stairs like that…" Rachel said and looked at her son who was still dangling from his father's grip upside down, "…and you young man, I don't want you swapping the salt and sugar anymore."
"How do you know it was me?" Zach spouted, trying to free himself from his father.
"I'm your mother, I know everything. Why do you insist on giving us a hard time every morning?"
Zach replied, "I thought you knew everything…"
L had to hold back a laugh; Rachel was giving him a dirty look. He plopped his son down on the floor, "Alright kiddo, get your butt ready for class and we'll leave together."
"Awe…I don't wanna go!" Zach whined.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Out on the campus grounds, a music class was in session, led by Gabe. He was sitting on the grass with twelve students before him, teaching them about the mechanics of an acoustic guitar.
"Now, can anyone point out the frets on the guitar?"
The youngsters were silent at first, but one of the little girls crawled forward at pointed to the bars on the neck of the guitar.
"Very good Miranda," Gabe said, "Can anyone tell me the purpose of the frets?"
Three students raised their hands.
"How about…Jason," Gabe gestured to a boy in the back.
Jason dropped his hand and answered, "Pushing a string to a fret determines the vibration length and the resulting pitch."
"Good, I see everyone has been practicing in their dorms. So, let's get started, did everyone bring their instrument?"
All the kids excitedly began pulling open their guitar cases.
Gabe waited patiently for the students and he handed out two different types of music, regular sheet music and tablature, "Let's start with tuning and then we're going to practice together."
As he helped a few of his students to adjust their tuning knobs, Gabe noticed his father and little brother approaching. His dad must be heading in to work and taking Zach to first period.
Zach let go of L's hand and ran over to Gabe, "Gabe!"
"Hey little bro!" Gabe had put his guitar aside and instructed the students, "You kids keep tuning and talk quietly amongst yourselves; I'll be back in a few minutes." He hoisted his little brother on his back and walked towards his father.
"Guess what Gabe? I ate a bug this morning!" Zach said happily.
"Oh, was mom cooking again?" he smirked.
L shook his head, "Very funny…"
"So, did you need something dad?" Gabe asked while shooing his little brother's hands away from his eyes. Zach was attempting to play peek-a-boo using his brother's face.
"Yes, I was hoping you wouldn't mind looking after your brother tonight so your mother and I can go out."
"Sure, what time you leaving?"
"We have reservations at six."
"Okay. Well then…" Gabe turned to look at his students, "I'd better get back to teaching, my kids are getting rowdy." He let Zach slide down his back, "I'll see you later tonight little man…"
L took his youngest son's hand, "Thanks Gabe, see you when we both get home."
"Bye Gabe!" Zach shouted and he trotted alongside L towards the school.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Music class was forced to end early because of rain. Gabe didn't bother with continuing class indoors. The kids appreciated the early dismissal and made their promises to him about practicing in their off time.
He was on his way to the music department to drop off the borrowed tablature and was going to see himself into the cafeteria for an early lunch. The hallways were empty; all students were in some class or another. Gabe flipped through some of the sheets as he walked, trying to find some easy parts for his students to practice when he meant with them again next week. This also meant that he was paying attention to where he was going until it was too late. He bumped into someone who had their back turned to him and they dropped everything they were holding.
Gabe also lost his armful of sheet music in the process but he saw who it was he bumped into.
It was Karissa Sarin, one of Kat's closest friends. Karissa played a role in helping to close the 'Lyricist' murder case seven years ago. Since then, he only saw her in passing.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I walking," Gabe said apologetically.
"It's all right, no harm, no foul," she said.
They both knelt down to the floor to gather their papers. Gabe caught a glimpse of her documents, "So, you're a history teacher now?" He picked up the paper and handed it to her.
"Well, tutor. I haven't asked the headmaster about full time work yet. I don't think he'll hire me for that, judging by my past career choice…"
"Nah, dad's not one to judge a person by their past. You should ask about it Karissa."
"Maybe."
"Do it, I promise he won't be a hard ass," Gabe chuckled.
She finished gathering all of her things and climbed to her feet, fixing her clothes in the process, "Well, I better hurry; I have to be back in the tutoring lab at 11:30. Thanks for helping me clean up here."
"You're welcome, sorry I bumped you." He scratched his head.
She laughed, "You know when you crouch like that and scratch your head you resemble your father?"
"Oh…um…" he stuttered, "Heh…"
"Bye bye Gabe…" she said and turned to go in the other direction. He watched as she went around the corner of the hall. She was very pleasant to look at from the back as she was the front, easy on the eyes. Her dark brown hair, the curve of her hip, her tan colored skin…a lovely specimen with mixed heritage, strange how he didn't notice her before…and in that sense.
---------------------------------------------------
Six hours later…
Gabe waited in the living room with Zachary.
L and Rachel were just about to leave and left Gabe some instructions such as bedtime for Zach and no sugar…the usual parent lecture.
"Don't worry mom, I'm not that horrendous when it comes to babysitting."
"I know…but you know how Zach is when he eats too many sweets and doesn't go to bed on time. Just make sure he's asleep by nine," Rachel said.
"Awe…mom that's too early!" Zach complained.
"You need to be in bed early otherwise you'll be cranky tomorrow."
"But mom…"
"No buts, bed at nine."
Trying to be cute, Zachary began rolling on the floor. L finally came down the stairs and it was interesting because he was wearing something other than his traditional blue jeans and white shirt. He had on black slacks, a red sweater and a black leather jacket; the ensemble complimented the black and silver dress Rachel wore.
"Are you ready to go?" L asked Rachel.
"Yes, I was just leaving my orders with Gabe," she said.
"Good, let's get going before we miss our table."
L held open the front door for Rachel and the two of them exited the house. Gabe locked up behind them and settled himself in the living room.
"Gabe, can we watch a movie?" Zach asked.
"Sure little man, what movie you want to watch?"
"Jurassic Park!"
"Okay…"
Gabe dragged himself off the couch and to the television stand. He pulled open the cupboard doors and dug through the piles of dvds. He found the film and popped it into the player.
For two hours Zachary was able to sit still, Jurassic Park was his favorite movie after all. He did beg for popcorn after a while, which Gabe didn't object…he was kind of hungry anyways.
----------------------------------------------------
"Oh come on, please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"I'm not going out on that dance floor with you."
"You're such a party pooper L," Rachel pouted, "We're out to have a good time and you just want to stay at the table?"
"You know for a fact that I lack dancing skills," he said.
"It wouldn't kill you to try…nobody's going to laugh."
"No, I'm content here…"
Rachel sighed, she really wanted to dance but dancing alone on a romantic date…well…it just wasn't romantic. L was too shy to get up for some fast music and she knew it. She took a bite of her desert, a slice of key lime pie and vanilla ice cream.
L felt a little guilty. He looked at his wife and noticed her heart sinking…well maybe he could afford to spend more time out mingling with people and occasionally making a fool of himself.
"Rachel put her fork down, "I'll be right back, ladies room. Can you put my purse in your coat pocket?"
L took the tiny bag and stuffed it in the leather coat and replaced it on the back of his chair. After Rachel left the table, L quickly finished his chocolate mousse and got up himself, but he wasn't heading for the restroom…he strolled up to the disc jockey.
"Did you have a request sir?" the dj asked.
L leaned in to the dj's ear and whispered something to him.
"Well, we don't usually play stuff like that here, but what the hell," he said, "I think I can pick out an old song from the nineties that could work."
"Thanks, but don't start it right away," L said.
"I'll put it on after this next number."
L thanked the dj and returned to the table; just in time too…Rachel was on her way back. She seated herself and began picking at her pie once again, "I don't think I can finish this."
"Need a hand?"
"Yeah." Rachel pushed her plate over to him, she still looked sad.
He finished off the pie for her and took one of her hands in his, "I promise to try newer things with you, I guess I'm just a little shy."
"I thought I knew everything about you already," she said, "Clearly you're full of surprises, even now."
L was about to respond but the gentle music which was once playing had come to an end. There wasn't anyone out on the dance floor and the jockey made a short announcement.
"Let's crank up the heat in here!" he shouted over the speakers and instantly the music began blaring.
"Oh my god! I haven't heard this song in almost twenty years!" Rachel said with excitement.
Will Smith's 'Getting Jiggy Wit It' traveled throughout the restaurant and people started to get up from their tables to dance.
L hooked Rachel's hand and pulled her up.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Going out to the floor, why?" he said and dragged her up.
"But you don't like to dance…"
"I said I would try new things with you."
He led her over to the floor, passing a few couples who were getting into the music. They were in the middle of the floor and L actually had to encourage her to dance!
He started doing some type of move she'd never seen before, "C'mon Rachel, I know you've got moves!" He was flipping around and twisting in so many odd angles.
"What kind of moves are you doing?" she shouted over the music.
"It's copoeira," he shouted back, "Now get your butt moving!"
Catching the beat of the music, Rachel fell into dance mode and started multiple series of hip drops and rib circles. Funny, belly dance seemed to go with this type of music really well. She raised her arms in the air to start what was called the 'Arabic'.
Because copoeira involved such large moves, parts of the crowd had to spread out to allow L room. His feet were up in the air in every direction. He even performed a back flip, totally catching Rachel off guard.
"Geez L, I didn't know you had it in you!"
The song was coming to a close and both had garnered a lot of attention from the crowd, they were cheering and dancing on the side lines. Rachel finished the song by waiting for L to get back on his feet and she swung her arms around his neck and started to grind on him. Not only was that highly arousing to L, but he had to make sure he kept his 'equipment' disguised…just in case.
"I still feel like I'm twenty five," Rachel laughed.
"I think I'm in the same boat," L replied, his hands wandering down to her hips.
The song had finished and everyone cheered and laughed, a dancing job well done. The jockey then decided the next song should be a slow number, so everyone could relax and cool down. Some people went back to their tables, others remained on the floor.
"Another song I haven't heard in a while," Rachel commented. She wouldn't let go of L and kept him on the floor so they could slow dance to 'You're Still the One' by Shania Twain. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her cheek rested against his. L left his hands at her waist and they dance together for the duration of the song.
"I love you L," Rachel said.
"I love you too," he responded.
-------------------------------------------------------
They arrived home at 11:30 p.m. Rachel and L were both exhausted from the date, all the dancing, and they even had a few glasses of wine, so they were slightly inebriated. L had to call for a cab to take them home; he had a tow truck bring the car back home.
Rachel tiptoed into the house first; hopefully Gabe did as he was asked and put Zach to bed on time. She made her way through the kitchen and to the living room and she was in awe with the picture before her.
L was still in the kitchen, removing his shoes when Rachel gestured for him to come to the living room. She held her finger up to her mouth, telling him to be quiet. L turned the corner to see what was up.
Rachel smiled and pointed into the room. There on the couch lie a sleeping Gabe sprawled out along the length of it. On Gabe's belly, Zachary lay face down with his thumb in his mouth. The television was still on, they must have been watching movies because 'National Treasure' was in the player and at the start menu on screen. One lamp was also left on.
Neither Rachel nor L had the heart to wake them.
"I'm gonna go change and get to bed, I'm tired," Rachel said and left L's side to go upstairs.
Deciding he was also going to hit the sack, L pulled the blanket from the top of the couch and draped over his two sons. They would be fine there for the night.
To be continued…
---------------------------------------------------
I had to do something cute for this chapter. Anyways, we'll be seeing the other characters soon too and of course the plot will begin to thicken. Happy Reading!