The Growth of a Family
Sara returns to work after maternity leave. She and Nick have a case that brings back memories for Grissom and Catherine.
Apology: I apologize for taking a long time to get this posted. I was busy working on getting my book published. I had a research paper to write (thrill, thrill) and exams to take. I hope to get the next chapter written and posted soon. A billion apologies!
Disclaimer: I don't own Nick, Sara or any character in CSI. I only own my original characters.
Sara's Return to the Lab or the Reprise of Fur and Loathing
"Sara, we're going to be late!" Nick shouted from the kitchen.
"I was fixing up my hair!" Sara shouted back as she went down the stairs from their bedroom.
"This is your first day back," he looked at how she did her hair. "You aren't going to the Police Department's annual ball."
"I just want to look nice for my first night back at work," she smiled. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
"Nothing, but you look beautiful as always," he smiled back. "Even if you still have less than ten pounds of pregnancy weight left to lose."
"You are so adorable when you butter that toast, Nicky," she giggled.
Sara gave Janine instructions and to call her if it's an emergency. Janine reassured her cousin by marriage that she knows what she's doing. Nick and Sara left for work, but not before going to dinner.
Crime Lab Break Room
The crew was waiting for their assignments and whether they will work solo or with a partner or as a group. Sara was welcomed back to the lab with a coffee and cake party. Grissom arrived with a few sheets of paper.
"Nick, Sara and Greg, you have a 419 at the Tropicana," Grissom announced. "It's a guy in a blue cat costume."
Catherine was laughing hysterically at the younger CSIs' assignment. Greg and Sara looked at her as if she was a lunatic.
"Hey Catherine, what's so funny about this assignment?" Nick asked.
"It's kind of déjà vu," Catherine stopped laughing. "While you and Sara were investigating that frozen stiff back in 2003, Grissom, Warrick and I were investigating the death of some guy dressed up as Rocky Raccoon. We were able to link him with the death of a woman in a car accident and the annual PAFCON."
"What is PAFCON?" Sara asked.
"It's the Plushies and Furries Convention," Grissom replied. "Looks like they love to have it in Las Vegas again. Sophia is waiting for you. Warrick and Catherine, you are with me on a 404 at the botanical garden. Brass is already there."
"Guys, let me give you some lingo," Catherine told Nick, Greg and Sara. "Yiffing is platonic and friendly touching. Scritching is something more sexual. Furpile is when a bunch of Plushies and Furries get together a do some serious scritching."
"Uh, thanks Catherine," Nick and Sara said in unison.
After Grissom, Warrick and Catherine left the break room for their assignment, Sara, Nick and Greg just looked at each other and laughed.
"I just hope that none of the female Plushies and Furries starts flirting with me," Greg whined.
"Natasha would kill the Plushy or Furry that flirts with her fiancé," Sara chuckled.
"Hey, let's get to that crime scene before Sophia has a major fit," Nick instructed his wife and partner.
Tropicana
"Don't ask me why I was assigned to the zoo of human freaks," Sophia whined.
"We are in the same boat," Greg shrugged.
"There was a similar case a few years ago," Nick added. "Grissom, Warrick and Catherine investigated that one. Sophia, do you know who's the DB?"
"His animal name was Sexy Kitty," Sophia was aggravated. "His human name was Bud Simmons."
"Where's is this humanoid?" Sara asked.
"He was in his room," Sophia replied.
"Would that be with or without his Sexy Kitty costume?" Greg asked.
"I am going to regret this answer," Sophia shrugged. "He was partially dressed as that freaky animal."
Sophia led the three young CSIs to the room where Bud "Sexy Kitty" Simmons' body was found. Nick gaped at the site while Sara shook her head in disgust. Greg had to bite his tongue to control his urge to laugh.
"What is that smell?" Sara asked. "I am used to the smell of decomps and freshly dead bodies, but not this odor."
"Whoa, it's probably a blend of ipecac and civet oil," Greg responded as he took a quick whiff of the costume. "That odor is very familiar."
"Yeah, you were one of the lab rats when Grissom, Warrick and Catherine had a similar case," Nick recalled.
"We can't be sure about that," Sara reminded Greg not to jump to conclusions. "Let Trace interpret the aroma."
There were a few people in different animal costumes looking at the crime scene. One 'tiger' tried to cross over the tape.
"Mr. or Ms. Tiger, you can't come in," Sara shouted. "Do you see this yellow tape? You're going to contaminate the evidence."
"It's Ms. Pretty Tiger," the muffled voice talked back. "Sexy Kitty was one of my best friends. We spent time going to furpiles and done some scritching."
"What is your human name?" Nick asked. "Could you take that costume off?"
"Sexy Kitty was a lawyer and would tell me that is discrimination," Ms. Pretty Tiger hissed. "You can't arrest me nor make me take off my costume."
"It's coming off or we will have to get a judge to give us a court order," Sara said. "I don't think he or she will be happy about hearing the reason why we need that court order in the first place."
"Okay," Ms. Pretty Tiger let out a muffled huff.
I can't wait for this unveiling, Sophia thought. This ought to be good.
"Are you fucking happy now?" a geeky looking woman with extremely frizzy hair asked harshly.
"Hello, Pretty," Nick was sarcastic with his tone.
Sara went back to looking at Bud 'Sexy Kitty' Simmons' body and saw some reddish fibers.
"Hey Nick, I think this is right up your alley!" Sara shouted.
"Wow! Looks like Ms. Pretty Tiger or whatever is probably innocent," Nick said. "We are looking for a red plushy or furry."
Nick placed the fibers in a bindle. He and Sara looked at Sophia talking to this strange woman. Ms. Pretty Tiger was verbally belligerent with the detective.
"Sara, I'll continue processing the area while you look around for red Plushies and Furries," Nick told her. "Greg will help me."
"Nick, go with Sara," Greg insisted. "I'll take care of thing here."
Sara and Nick went to the registration area of PAFCON. There was a man or woman dressed as a green lion sitting at a table. The couple stared at each other and the human lion.
"Grissom has got to be kidding us," Nick whispered.
"Maybe I could take a picture of this with cell phone and email it to him," Sara chuckled.
"Let's save that for later," he sighed.
She nodded and they approached a red 'ferret' prancing around near the banquet hall.
"I am Sara Sidle-Stokes," she started the introductions. "This is Nick Stokes. We are with the Las Vegas Crime Lab."
The 'ferret' just showed surprise and nearly walked away. Nick was able to block this 'animal's' way. A few officers brought along the following red Plushies and Furries 'cat', 'fish', 'horse', 'kangaroo', 'parrot' and 'rabbit'.
"Good, you are all here," Nick had a slightly sadistic grin on his face. "I am Nick Stokes and this is Sara Sidle-Stokes. We are with the Las Vegas Crime Lab. This is a murder investigation. We would like for you to take off the costumes and tell us your human names."
All but the 'kangaroo' took off the heads of their costumes and gave their human names.
"You in the kangaroo suit," Sara said. "Take it off or we will go downtown!"
"Do whatever you want!" 'Kangaroo' shouted. "I can't take it off."
I wonder if this idiot is with Miss Pretty Tiger and the late Bud "Sexy Kitty" Simmons, Nick thought.
"Nick, Sara, have you seen Greg?" Sophia asked as she ran to the group.
"No, we haven't," Nick answered.
"We were on our way to see if you needed some help," Sophia explained more calmly. "He separated from me and I haven't seen him around."
As if on cue, the subject of Sophia's inquiry showed up.
"Where the fucking hell have you been?" Sophia asked with yelling.
"Grissom recommended that I check out a lecture," Greg felt like he was facing the firing squad.
"We are investigating a murder!" Nick exploded. "This isn't the time or place to attend some lecture. Include that in your field notes."
"I was only there for a few minutes," Greg defended himself. "It was a creepy looking person partially dressed as a blue meerkat with only his face showing. After he started talking about plushy and furry sexuality, I left."
"Don't do that again!" Sara hissed. "Stay with us or I will tell Grissom to keep you in the lab permanently."
"I sure as hell don't want to risk that," Greg groaned. "I love being out in the field. Why are these 'animals' doing here?"
"We might take them into custody if they don't cooperate," Sophia answered.
"Are the going to PD or Animal Control?" Nick asked only to get a glare from Sara.
"The only one that's going to the station with us is 'Kangaroo'," Sophia sneered.
After the preliminary investigation was over, Bud "Sex Kitty" Simmons' body was taken to the morgue for autopsy. Sophia and a few officers took 'Kangaroo' into custody. Nick, Sara and Greg went to the crime lab to deposit their evidence to the appropriate lab techs. While they were on their way to meet with Sophia at the police station, Grissom saw them.
"How's the PAFCON case going?" Grissom asked with a pronounced smirk on his face.
"I have never seen a bunch of freaks in one place," Nick shrugged. "I don't get why some people would even dress up like animals."
"I think they want to get in touch with their inner animal," Catherine suddenly appeared.
"They just want to show their lovable side," Grissom countered. "I heard the victim was Sexy Kitty."
"Yeah, and Sophia has detained a red 'kangaroo' in PD," Greg mentioned.
"Have Hodges test the trace evidence and send anything DNA to Mia," Catherine smirked.
"Catherine, are you, Grissom and Warrick dealing with a decomp?" Sara sniffed and almost wanted to barf.
"The 404 turned out to be a 420," Grissom groaned.
"Looks like you guys need a lemon shower," Greg chimed.
Nick's cell phone started to ring and he answered it.
"Stokes!" he said.
"Nick, this is Sophia," the person on the other end replied. "I need you and Sara to come down to the station to process 'Kangaroo'. Yes, whatever that thing really is isn't cooperating."
"Sara and I will be right there," he told Sophia and they hung up.
"Nick, what was that all about?" Sara asked.
"Sophia wants us to meet her at the station," he told her. "We have to process 'Kangaroo'. Greg, you stay here in case Dr. Robbins or Super Dave wants to tell you about the victim. Sara and I will bring some more evidence to be processed."
A few moments later, Nick and Sara were at the station and Sophia was waiting for them. She had an expression on her face that was a cross between a scowl and a wince.
"I am at my wits' end with this 'Kangaroo' freak," Sophia said as she walked with them. "He or she refuses to remove that cumbersome costume! Would you let Abigail and Nicholas dress up like animals to interact with other Plushies and Furries? What if they each dated one?"
"We wouldn't let them do that," Sara said. "Let's just deal with this 'Kangaroo'!"
"Okay Mr. or Ms. Kangaroo, this is Sara Sidle-Stokes and Nick Stokes," Sophia smirked. "They are with the Crime Lab and need to process you!"
"Sir or Ma'am, we need you to take that costume off," Sara added.
"I'll feel naked without it!" 'Kangaroo' whined.
"You're going to take it off voluntarily now or a court order will force you remove it," Nick sadistically grinned. "I highly suggest you make this easy on us as well as the poor judge that would sign the court order."
"Okay, but I will sue the police department for sexual harassment," 'Kangaroo countered.
Sara, Nick and Sophia just looked at each other with total disbelief.
"We'll provide you with something to wear," Sara coaxed 'Kangaroo'.
'Kangaroo' removed the top of the costume and revealed a young attractive woman with brown hair and blond highlights. She gave them a scornful look.
"Now we can see the human behind the kangaroo," Nick said. "Can you give us your human name if you have one?"
"Priscilla," the woman said. "I won't give you my last name. Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on? Why did you drag me out of PAFCON?"
"We are investigating the murder of Bud 'Sexy Kitty' Simmons," Sophia replied. "We found a red fiber on his body."
"I didn't kill him!" Priscilla/'Kangaroo' shouted. "I have never yiffed, scritched or been in a furpile with that cat."
"Do refresh our memories, define yiffed, scritched and furpile for us," Nick calmly demanded.
"Yiffing is when two animals who don't know each other well," Priscilla explained. "Scritching is more intimate and sexual. Furpile is like an orgy."
Nick, Sara and Sophia immediately rued the moment of the explanation.
"We need your costume," Sara said. "It's evidence. We will give you a change of clothing."
Nick and the male officer left to give Priscilla/'Kangaroo' some privacy. Sara placed the costume in a big box and thanked the young woman. She and Nick left for the Crime Lab.
"Hey Nick and Sara," Brass smirked when he saw the couple walking with their evidence. "I heard about your case. How is it going?"
"It's going, but I don't know where," Sara replied.
"Our suspect was being a bitch," Nick added. "Now, she is cooperating. Wilcox and a few officers are bringing in some other red Plushies and Furries."
"I don't think Sophia would be thrilled about putting an APB out on the Coyote and Road Runner," Brass chuckled.
"No, her patience is wearing thin," Nick smirked.
Brass and the Stokes parted ways after the exchanged pleasantries. Nick and Sara returned to the crime lab and processed the costume. Greg went to retrieve the other costumes to process.
"I still don't get how some people could do something like this," Greg look at Sara and Nick.
"When I was in college," Nick commented. "I occasionally went to these wild parties. Sometimes, they had ménage a trois. Other times, there would full blown orgies. Furpiles are like orgies where the participants dress up like animals."
"I don't know why some people get off by fucking each other as animals," Sara shook her head. "I am going to take these samples to Hodges."
"Greggo, what do you think of all those people?" Nick asked after Sara left the room.
"Since I briefly attended one of the talks," Greg answered. "I think they are freaky and I wouldn't want to be in a 'furpile' with any of them."
"I love the feeling of soft hair, fur and feathers," Nick agreed. "However, I am not about to hump a 5'6" parrot. I'd rather master the Kama Sutra with my wife than go to a furpile."
"I agree, but I would rather watch some erotica with Natasha," Greg chuckled.
"So, what have you talked about while I was with Hodges?" Sara asked.
"It's just guy stuff," Nick lied.
Sophia entered the room almost out of breath.
"Calm down," Greg said. "Sophia, why were you running like a crazed maniac?"
"The sheriff gave us a warrant to search the Plushies," Sophia huffed. "He wants us to pursue other leads due to possible transfer of fibers."
"Maybe we'll catch a furpile in action," Sara beamed.
About an hour later, Nick, Sara, Greg, Sophia, Greg and the officers returned to the hotel hosting the PAFCON. A bartender led them to a room where he reported some perverted activity. They gasped at the sight that was before them – a furpile. All the participants were asked to stop scritching, take off their costumes and give their human names. There was more evidence to process and more work for Hodges who might give it to Mia.
"Here are the results of the freak conference," Hodges approached Nick, Sara and Greg. "Read them and weep or laugh."
"The fiber doesn't match any of the costumes," Nick was stunned.
"The costumes were made of synthetic fibers," Hodges elaborated. "The one found on Bud Simmons was silk."
"Whoever killed him was unlikely an attendee of this conference," Sara inferred.
Hours later, a call girl was arrested in connection to the murder of Bud 'Sexy Kitty' Simmons. She confessed that after an hour after she arrived at his hotel room, she discovered his Kitty suit. She snapped and strangled him after a struggle. After she killed him, she dressed him in his costume and dragged him out the room and into a public area. In doing so, a loose silk fiber from her clothing transferred onto his costume and sealed her fate.
When shift ended, Nick and Sara went home relieved that work was behind them. They wanted to hug and kiss their children, but decided wait until Abigail and Nicholas were at least in junior high to talk about the Plushies and Furries. Cleopatra and Ptolemy walked toward them, purred and meowed. Nick and Sara bent down to pet the kitties. Abigail saw her parents and ran towards them.
"Mommy and Daddy are home!" Abigail shouted.
"Hey Sweetie, were you a good girl for Cousin Janine?" Nick asked as he picked her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Was Nicholas a good boy?"
"I was a very good girl," Abigail smiled.
"Shouldn't you be in bed sleeping, young lady?" Sara asked.
"I couldn't because I wanted to hug and kiss you," Abigail whined.
"Tell you what," Nick said. "How about if we tuck you in and you can give us all the hugs and kisses you want."
"Okay!" Abigail answered sweetly.
They took Abigail back to her room and tucked her in bed. Abigail exchanged gave both Nick and Sara a little hug and kiss and they each gave her one in return. After making sure she was asleep, they went to check on Nicholas. The infant was sleeping in his crib, so Nick and Sara gave him a gentle peck on his cheek. They quietly left his room to go to theirs.
An hour later, both Sara and Nick were in their bed asleep in each other's arms. They hoped Abigail and Nicholas never grow up to become Plushies and Furries or date any of those people.
TBC