Taking Someone's Place

TVGirl09

Chapter Seven

First Day

Tuesday morning Avery Jones was given a job by Horatio Caine. Tuesday night she'd discovered she was pregnant with Ryan Wolfe's baby. Now it was Friday morning and she was suppose to be starting work soon and there she was leaning over the toilet sick to her stomach.

As she straightened her back and flushed the toilet she murmured, "Why couldn't I be one of those women with no morning sickness?"

With that said she moved to the sink and rinsed her mouth before brushing her teeth, again. Then she stood up and looked at herself in the full length mirror posted on the back of the bathroom door. Her long strawberry blonde hair was up in a bun. She was wearing a pale blue button up top beneath a light gray jacket that matched her pants. On her feet she was wearing a pair of black ankle height boots.

She wasn't wearing much make-up. Just a little light pink on her lips, light grey eye shadow, nothing else.

When she was pleased with her appearance she left the house and moved to her hummer. She drove to work.

There at work she walked inside, her mind reeling. She wasn't watching where she was going and she bumped into somebody.

"Oh, I am so sorry," Avery said immediately before turning to look at the woman she'd bumped into. The woman was taller than her… then again that's not hard when you barely stand five foot two. She had long blonde hair and green eyes.

Instinctively she knew she'd just bumped into the infamous Calleigh Duquesne.

"Don't worry about it," Ms. Duquesne said with a wide infectious smile that Ryan had mentioned so often and that accent that was so distinct there was no guessing where she came from originally. "Can I help you?"

"Um, well, today is my first day and I'm searching for Mr. Caine. He didn't exactly tell me where I would be working," Avery stated and she noticed Ms. Duquesne's face changed. There were a few facial clues there that made it appear as if she'd just soured her opinion of her. Her once happy smile became tight and pinched, maybe even strained. Her eyes were no longer glowing with joy but they were forced. Obviously, she didn't like Avery.

"Well, welcome," Ms. Duquesne said, her voice holding a slight edge to it. "I'm Calleigh Duquesne."

"I'm Avery Jones, Ms. Duquesne," Avery said holding out her hand to the woman. To her credit Ms. Duquesne shook it though it was less than enthusiastically.

"I'll show you to Horatio's office," Ms. Duquesne stated before motioning for Avery to follow. They walked through the office and Avery felt sheepish. All eyes kept turning to look at her. She didn't like being stared at which was ironic since most kids from rich parents loved it.

They arrived at the door of an office and Ms. Duquesne nodded.

"Yes," the familiar voice of Mr. Caine said from inside.

"Hey H, that new girl you hired is here," Ms. Duquesne said and he looked up. His eyes glanced back and forth between them.

"Thank you Ms. Duquesne," he said formally. She nodded and left leaving Avery in the doorway of the office. "Come in Mrs. Jones and close the door behind you." She looked at him and entered slowly, doing as he said.

She was nervous. The tone of voice he was using intimidated her more than just a little bit. The fact he was wearing sunglasses in his office wasn't much better either.

"Please, sit down," Mr. Caine stated and she sat in front of his seat. He grabbed his sunglasses and pulled them off to reveal really, really blue eyes. "Well, I hear congratulations are in order Mrs. Jones."

"I suppose so," she states looking at him nervous.

"Mrs. Jones. I have very few rules; one of them is no hiding things from me… no lying to me. I know Mr. Ryan Wolfe is your late husband… I know you are pregnant. No more lying to me," he said.

"I apologize," she stated. "I wanted to respect Ryan's wishes. He was a very private person… we both are. I didn't want for people to think I got the job because I was his wife… how did you know I am his wife anyways?"

"When I was at a crime scene where the two of you were I'd noticed little things. You two would give each other little glances from across the scene. You two would pass each other you're hands would often brush each other. You'd lean into each other as you spoke. Your eyes would both scream of love… I never realized you two were married though, not until you mentioned it," he stated.

"I see," she stated before covering her mouth with her hand as another spell of nausea hit.

"Are you okay?" he asked and she nodded but she didn't answer. "Morning sickness?" She nodded again and then breathed as it subsided somewhat.

"I've been this way since late Tuesday," she told him and he nodded.

"I'm putting you on lab duty," Mr. Caine said and her face looked up.

"Why?" she asked before she realized what she'd just said. She could have slapped herself.

"Your apart of my team and I don't want your baby too close to anything dangerous. I also want you to take extra precaution when handling the chemicals," he said and she nodded.

"Yes sir," she stated.

"So, how did everyone who knows find out," Mr. Caine asked.

"Well, I knew Maxine for six months before I found out she worked with Ryan. That was about six months before we got married…"

Two and a half Years ago…

"Come on," Avery stated leading Ryan across the club towards the bar. "It'll be fun. You'll like Max, I just know it."

"Honey, I don't really like places like this," Ryan said, yelling over the loud Rock music that was vibrating the floors and walls. He glanced around with wary eyes, taking notice of every empty and unattended glass. He really didn't like clubs and she knew it. His OCD would be driving him crazy and he'd want to clean up.

"Baby, humor me. I'll make it worth your while," Avery promised teasingly and he smiled.

"I'm sure you will," he stated as she hurried towards the bar, dragging him by the hand.

"Max," she yelled tapping her friend on the shoulder. Maxine turned around and her eyes instantly bugged but Avery didn't take any notice. "This is my Fiancé…"

"Ryan? You're hot, dreamy, love-me-all-over-the-house is one of the guys I work with Ryan Wolfe?" Maxine asked and Avery's jaw dropped.

"Valera?" Ryan asked in just as much shock as Max was.

Maxine Valera smiled at them, him a head taller than Avery. "Call me Maxine, Maxy, Max, something else. We're in public," she yelled so that she could be heard with a smile. "Oh this is so blackmail worthy."

Ryan shook his head while they laughed at his expense.

Now

"Well, interesting," Mr. Caine said trying to keep from laughing. After a moment of needing to regain composure he finally settled down. "So, how did Alex find out?"

"That's a whole other story…"

Five-Months-Ago

Avery was sitting at the table waiting for their food. It was a little dinner the couple frequented on lunch breaks.

She was eating a chicken sandwich and onion rings, he was having a cheese burger and fries. Everything was going great, it was busy but it always was. That's when Ryan tensed up, his eyes on the front door.

Curious as to what would make her husband tense up like that she turned to see the face of Alexx Woods entering. He instantly tried to hide his face but she spotted him.

"Ryan," Alexx said walking towards them. She didn't seem to notice Avery at first but her eyes grew wide when she did. She smiled as she arrived at the table. "Who is this? I'm Alexx Woods."

Alexx held out her hand for Avery to take and Avery shook it eagerly. "Avery Jones, I'm Ryan's Girl."

"Really, I didn't know he was seeing anyone," Alexx said and Avery smiled.

"He's not," Avery said as Ryan visibly sunk into the stall. Avery held out her left hand. "I'm his wife." Alexx's eyes became as wide as saucers.

"Wife?" Alexx asked in shock. Avery just nodded as Ryan sunk lower in his seat, his face turning bright red. "And why wasn't I invited to the wedding?"

"No one was… nobody knew since it happened when he was suspended," Avery stated and Alexx's jaw dropped.

"So you've been married about two or so years and didn't tell me… I'm hurt Ryan," Alexx said glaring at him.

"I'm sorry," he said not even looking up from his burger.

"You better be, now scoot, I want to hear all about your guys relationship," Alexx said forcing Avery to scoot down the booth they were in. Alexx then sat down next to her.

Mr. Caine was trying not to laugh at the image of Alexx scooting in the booth with them.

"Lets just say, she's been close to the both of us ever since. She's been kind of like the mother-in-law I had to appease," Avery stated with a small wistful smile on her face.

"Well, I hate to have to do this but we both have work. I don't think sitting around chatting all day would work out that well do you?" Mr. Caine asked and she shook her head with a small smile on her face.

"I'll go to work… which lab should I work in," Avery asked and Mr. Caine pointed her in the direction of the lab. She thanked him then hurried out. She arrived and it was empty.

She set off to examine evidence, her mind going over protocol silently as she went. About two hours after she began walk in came strutting a hot Latino man. Inside, she had no doubt this was Eric Delko. His whole attitude screamed of player.

He froze as soon as he saw her but he quickly brushed it off. She noticed his eyes skimming the length of her body and she just wanted to jack him in the eye.

"You must be Ryan Wolfe's new Replacement," he stated looking at her straight in the eye. "Lets get one thing straight… you'll never be as good as Ryan so don't even try to be."

Avery glanced at him and smiled her sweetest smile.

"Now, that was rude. From the first impression and just now second impression you gave me I'd say you were a rude arrogant, chauvinist jackass but then, maybe that's just me," she stated with the sweetest smile.

"What do you mean first impression?" he asked giving her a glare.

"Seven months we were working a scene together… you a CSI and I on patrol, anyways, there I was getting witness descriptions when you came up and started hitting on me. You were standing next to a dead body while hitting on me. I told you to get lost then flashed you my ring. Your partner, Mr. Wolfe apologized for you once you left. He was sweet, you weren't," she stated bluntly.

His jaw dropped. "That cop was you?"

"Yeah," she stated then she turned to go to work, ignoring his presence. She so wanted to punch him.

"I'm sorry, I guess I do come off as an ass then," he stated and she shrugged but didn't turn around.

"Well, I understand you just lost your friend so I'll forgive you this time… If it happens again I promise you I won't be so forgiving," she stated barely glancing over her shoulder at him.

"What do you know what it's like to loose someone?" Eric asked and she turned around.

"I lost my parents when I was eighteen thanks to a car crash, When I first joined the force one of my best friends was murdered, my husband died less than a month ago so I know plenty of loss," she stated and he paled.

"Sorry… I didn't know," he stated and she nodded.

"I'll chalk that one up with the first apology. Now, if you don't mind, I've got work to do," she said and he nodded.

He left without another word and she turned back to work. The rest of the day went by without incident. Max stopped by so that they could BS for awhile but other than that everything was relatively calm.

Guys kept checking her out but she'd grown use to that pretty quick. She was something new to look at. They were kids with new toys. Things would settle down eventually.

She left from the lab, her feet walking.

-x-

Eric Delko hadn't been able to stop himself from thinking about the new Lab Tech – Avery Jones. He was standing at his vehicle preparing to crawl in when he saw Mrs. Jones step out of the building.

He noticed her mind seemed distracted as she walked through that parking lot. He understood the pain of loss. Though he'd never lost a lover he'd lost a sister and two best friends, though the one he'd never admit he was friends with out loud.

He'd been so pissed at Ryan that he hadn't thought about the fact his friend could die out there, especially with the Russians after the team.

Still, he looked at the young woman and was caught off-guard when he realized she was about the same age Ryan had been. She was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight. It was surreal.

That's when he made his choice… he'd decided he'd be nicer to her and slowly ease her into his jackass side. She needed friends right now, especially with the loss she'd recently experienced.

With that in mind he crawled in his vehicle and pulled out.

[So, what do you think so far? Do you like it; hate it, neutral feelings towards it? Thanks to everyone who read and thanks to everyone who reviewed… TVGirl09]