Mistaken Identity

Family Take Out

"I ordered a pizza. It should be here any minute." Catherine said coming out on to the patio.

Nick's patio appeared to be the only part of his house that was lived in. His home had an incredible view, and a huge yard for Sam to run wild in.

Riley and Sam were involved in a serious game fetch. While the boys were talking and sharing stories about adventures and embarrassing Jack in the progress. Catherine ignored her anger with Nick and decided to get in on the fun.

"Awesome." Jack said raising his glass of whiskey as Nick quickly finished his.

"Thanks, Catherine." Nick said smiling at her.

"Save me, please." Jack begged as her cheeks were red.

"What're you talking about?" Catherine asked smiling as she handed Nick a water bottle.

"The time the foreign model slapped Jack." Mac chuckled.

"That reminds me of the time you asked out the desk sergeant's wife in front of him." Catherine said nonchalantly causing Nick to nearly spit out his water.

"Oh, my god. I totally forgot about that." Nick said laughing. "She was a babe, and he looked like an ogre." Nick said trying to justify himself. Nick's phone chirped. The group noticed his demeanor change a little.

"Is everything alright?" Catherine asked. Nick smiled.

"Yeah, I thought it was going to be someone else." Nick said scratching his face.

"So, you guys worked... work in Vegas what's that like? I bet you see some crazy stuff." Bozer asked eager to be among fellow lab folk. Nick shrugged causing Catherine to roll her eyes.

"Are you serious?" Catherine chuckled. Nick ignored her as he drank his water. "Nick barely survived Vegas." She told.

"You too... and you went back." Nick said and the group felt the tension raise to critically awkward levels.

"That bad, huh?" Jack ask as Mac elbowed him. Trying to get Jack to read the situation.

"I had my fair run ins with death. Ive been shot, blown up, kidnapped, buried alive... oh, and pushed out a window. And that was just a Tuesday?" He said winking at Catherine. She rolled her eyes as she left to answer the door. Nick laughed as he continued to drink his water bottle.

Sam came running up the patio. Sam just stared at Nick with big puppy eyes. Nick smiled at his dog as Sam put his front paws on Nick's chair meeting Nick at eye level.

"I'm alright, buddy." Nick said smiling at his dog. Sam rested his head on Nick's lap.

"Sam, and I, might be best friends." Riley said with a smile. She quickly felt the awkwardness, as she looked around. Mac subtly nodded at her.

"He's a good boy. You want some pizza?" Nick asked and Sam's head peeked up excited. Nick walked into his house with Sam following.

"Talk about a toxic relationship?" Jack chuckled as he finished his drink. Mac shushed him.

"Could you talk any louder?" Mac asked and Jack smiled. "Are you drunk?"

"No, I'm definitely a little buzzed. Sorry, I don't have much of a tolerance because we are always working, and this isn't that sissy beer you're always getting." Jack explained as Mac threw a water bottle at him.

"Behave... and I don't get sissy beer." Mac said offended. Jack just smiled.

The group went inside and helped themselves to the pizza. The group couldn't help but notice that Nick and Catherine were sitting next to each other and talking quiet as they are.

"How are the girls?" Nick asked smiling at her.

"They're fine. I just spoke to everyone. Lindsay was worried about you."

"You told her I'm fine, right?" Nick said.

"I told her you're... you." Catherine said shrugging her shoulders defeated.

"Catherine, I'm fine." Nick said but Catherine shrugged her shoulders again. "What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing? It doesn't look like nothing?" Nick said slightly annoyed. She remained quiet. "When are you leaving?" Nick said looking at his plate.

"In the morning." She said.

"Okay. Is there anything I can get you?"

"No, I'm going to go freshen up and go to bed." She said quietly as she lightly touched his shoulder leaving.

Nick stood up as he contemplated following her. He brought his and her plate to the sink before going to the laundry room.

"You know, Jack, I'm half tempted to trade you for Nick." Riley teased as she continued to pet Sam's belly.

"Allez, mon garçon." Nick said adjusting his belt. He had changed his outfit completely. "allons faire un tour." Nick said as Sam took off for the door.

"Where you going?" Mac asked.

"I'm going go for a walk. Y'all are more than welcome to come with me. If I was trying to sneak out you wouldnt even know I was gone." Nick argued with a smile. Nick put the leash on Sam and opened the door without grabbing ahold of the leash. Nick left and the group quickly scurried behind him.

Nick several steps ahead of Mac and the group. Sam walked by Nick's side with his leash dragging behind him.

"You should talk to him." Mac said as Jack yawned.

"Me? No way. If his brain works like mine no one should..." Jack started but Riley chuckled as she walked up to Nick.

"Usually people hold the leash." Riley said walking in stride

"Sam is an old police dog. I'm not worried about it... I'm fine." Nick said looking at her.

"I..."

"Don't sweat it, kid." Nick said as he whistled to Sam. Riley looked over to the bar's neon lights.

"You sure more alcohol will help?"

"Feel free to wait outside." Nick said with a smile. Sam took over excitedly into the dingy dive bar.

"Sam!" The bar tender yelled excitedly as she came around the bar to hug Sam. "Good to see you too, Nick. I'll get your drink in a minute."

"No rush, Lori." Nick said sitting at the bar grabbing a handful of peanuts.

"Uh, Nick..." Lori said lifting her head to see Jack and the group.

"That's... that's my brother I guess and his friends." Nick said not turning.

"Hi I'm Jack." Jack said with a cheesy smile.

"Lori." She said with a smile returning to the bar.

"It's been a rough day, Lori, let's make it a double." Nick said.

"You say you're not a drunk but the bartender knows your dog's name and your order." Jack explained sitting next to him.

"You're right. I may be a drunk." Nick said raising his drink.

"What's up with you and blondie?" Jack asked drinking a beer.

"I... I don't know... after she left Vegas I kinda took it to heart. I slept around she found out was super pissed. I worked on restoring our relationship and then I leave Vegas and she goes back... sometimes I think we realize that we aren't good for each other." Nick explained sipping his drink. Nick was too tired to argue or not speak his mind.

"Oh... I get it." Jack said nodding.

"You know it's eerie how similar we are." Nick chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

"Your mannerisms, our voice... I can't believe we only grew up an hour from each other." Nick chuckled.

"It's crazy."

"Did you go college?" Nick asked.

"Texas Tech, for a little while. How about you?"

"No kidding. I played baseball at A&M." The men enjoyed a good laugh. "Have you ever been to Vegas?"

"Dude, I used to go all the time but since I took this job I haven't."

"Man, god damn." Nick laughed again. "Ain't that something."

"I've never been in the same place for too long." Jack said shrugging his shoulders.

"I can't get it. I can't believe..." nick trailed off shaking his head. "I better slow down. Last time I drink while in my own head I got arrested." Nick said with a laugh as he raising his glass.

"Me too." Jack said, clinking his glass with Nick's.

Nick's phone buzzed across the counter. The name Lauren written in big letters across the screen. Nick's stomach dropped. Nick knew his family. He was sure that his family had secrets all families do. Southern family secrets are always juicier, though, he thought. He was sure that his sister was just going o ignore him, and write him off. He expected to no longer be invited to certain family functions. He was unsure what to expect but he was not expecting her to actually call him back.

"What is it?" Jack asked seeing Nick's demeanor change.

"It's my sister. She really is calling me back." Nick said holding his phone.

"Dude, you better answer it."

Trying to still figure out how this will end. Not sure if I'm going to set it up for a sequel. Nick and Jack Road trip to answers or if I'll end it with this story. Sorry for the wait. Let me know what you think. Please Review!