Senior Presentation
Jessica was a nervous wreck as she flew about her condo. It was Monday and the day of her senior presentation for her internship. All she needed to do was pass this project and she would be done with her Doctrine in Forensic Science.
Horatio watched from her bed as Jessica scurried between the bedroom and bathroom, trying to finish getting ready. When she passed in front of the bed he grabbed the waistline of her pants and pulled her into his lap. He planted kisses all over her cheeks and tickled her sides.
"Stop it Daddy!" Jessica laughed as she squirmed in his arms.
"No! Not until you relax!" he playfully teased her.
"Daddy I need to get ready." Jessica pulled from his arms and walked over to the mirror.
Jessica ran her hands down her shirt, smoothing it out. She was wearing a deep purple top with gray plaid dress pants that had purple stripes intertwined. She pulled on her purple heels Ryan had bought her that matched the top perfectly. Horatio walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"You look so much like your mother." He said. Jessica smiled at him and brushed her short hair from her face. "Even without Izzy's curls and green eyes?" Horatio kissed the top of her head and nuzzled his face into her hair. "I love you just the way you are. You're my Jessie Bug, my little girl."
He opened his hand and a silver chain descended from it. A silver butterfly hung from the chain and swayed slowly back and forth. "I thought you might like to wear this today." he said quietly. Jessica smiled and nodded her head. "I would love to." Horatio unclasped the chain and wrapped it around her neck. He clasped it behind her head. "Beautiful" he whispered, "Now let's go, I promised Ryan we would meet him there at 10:30."
Jessica's eyes lit up. "Ryan's going to be there?"
Horatio nodded his head. "Along with Natalia and Jesse. I couldn't let the whole team go though. So they played rock, paper, scissors to see who got to go." Horatio chuckled, "Calleigh was pissed she lost."
Jessica stood at the podium, fiddling with her note cards, waiting for her cue to start. She started playing with the bracelet on her wrist and felt the tiny ladybugs walking together. There were so many people there. The entire department faculty had shown up and many of the underclassmen were present apparently to watch history in the making as Miami University's youngest graduate was about to earn her third Doctrine. The university had never had someone graduate with more than one Doctrine under the age of thirty.
Jessica looked to the back of the room. Amongst the hundreds of people she could see Horatio. He was sitting with Ryan, Natalia, and Jesse. Horatio gave her a reassuring smile and winked.
"Alright Dr. Caine," one of the professors said, "Whenever you're ready you may begin."
Jessica took a deep breathe and smiled. "Good morning everyone, my name is Dr. Jessica Caine. I will be presenting today about my internship at the Miami Dade Police Department Crime Lab. I began my work in August as a forensic specialist…."
Jessica continued on. She discussed her duties as an intern, how the crime lab worked, and her experiences and what she learned working there. She had slides and a power point presentation that displayed her facts and pictures of her work. Ryan smiled as he listen to her discuss her supervisor and his incredible work as a CSI and how he inspired her to be her best.
When her presentation was done Jessica spent almost fifteen minutes answering questions from audience members. Many were dim witted ones from underclassmen asking what it was like working with dead people. Natalia refused when Jesse offered her fifty dollars to ask Jessica if she thought her supervisor was hot.
Finally Jessica concluded her presentation. The entire room burst into an orchestra of applause. Jessica smiled and looked around the room. The panel of professors before her leaned in and were quietly discussing amongst their selves. Jessica grew nervous again when her advisor looked at her with a troubled look on his face. "Dr. Caine, we need to talk to you in private for a moment if you don't mind." Jessica nodded her head and followed them out a door.
The minutes ticked as everyone anxiously waited. Some people began to leave, complaining of class or work. Ten minutes later Jessica walked back in. Horatio could tell by the expression on her face something wasn't right. He stood from his chair and walked to her. Ryan, Jesse, and Natalia followed close behind him.
"Bug," Horatio said as he approached his daughter, "What's wrong?"
Jessica was shaking ever so slightly and she looked as if she would burst into tears. "They saw the news." She quietly said, "They saw the news broadcast where Ryan was standing on your lawn and declared that he loved me and that we were dating."
Ryan felt the color drain from his face. "Oh god, I didn't screw something up, did I?"
Jessica shook her head. "No, don't worry about it."
"Jessica," Horatio said fretfully, "What does it mean?"
Jessica took a shaky breathe and slowly exhaled. "There is a very strict rule within the department about intern site relationships. There was a problem years ago where a student dated his supervisor and she passed him just because she thought she loved him. He ended up leaving her once he passed and she killed herself. Now if anyone is discovered to be dating their supervisor they automatically fail." Jessica looked between her father and Ryan. "They're out there trying to decide what to do. The only reason they're not automatically failing me is because of the review Ryan gave me. They said it was too honest to be biased so they're taking that into consideration."
"They're not going to fail you, are they?" Natalia asked.
Jessica shook her head. "I don't think so."
"But what makes you think they're going to pass you?" Jesse asked.
Jessica looked at him, her eyes glistening with the tears that threatened to fall. "Because they let me present. That broadcast was aired three weeks ago. If they saw it and knew they were going to fail me then they wouldn't have let me present."
Just then the three men walked back in. Jessica jumped back up to the front and Horatio, Ryan, Jesse, and Natalia sat in chairs at the front of the room.
"Dr. Caine," her advisor, Dr. Bires, began, "I would first like to congratulate you on a job well done on your presentation. It was well organized and informational. You were able to keep the interest of the audience and believe me that's saying something since I know my Introduction to Criminal Justice class is here." He gave Jessica a small smile.
"Unfortunately as you know it was brought to the attention of this department that you were romantically involved with one of your site supervisors, Officer Ryan Wolfe. As you know the department rules for internship sites specifically states that immediate termination of the project is due for any student that is discovered to be in a relationship with their supervisor. With that being said Dr. Caine you will receive an incomplete for your internship project and will have to retake the course this upcoming year."
Jessica's lower lip began to tremble and she blinked back tears. "I understand sir," she whispered. A low murmur arose about the room. Ryan rubbed at his eyes, trying to fight the tears he could feel forming.
"However," Dr. Bires continued, "This department has taken recent events into consideration. The work you have done at Miami Dade exceeds all expectations. You have gone above and beyond the call of duty in your role as an intern." Dr. Bires leaned forward, "Which I hear includes being able to fight off seven grown men, sending each of them to the hospital and then maximum security prison, and developing the reputation as a one shot killer. Over the last year I've watched you grow from a bubbly young girl to a professional crime fighting woman. To say in the least that you seeked comfort within another doesn't surprise me at all.
"Therefore, the department of Criminal Justice has reconsidered our decision. Dr. Caine the work you have done is the best we've ever seen. You've grown as a person and as a professional. Your presentation was pristine, the reviews from your site supervisor and immediate supervisor were extremely impressive and honest, and your hard work is evident.
"Dr. Caine this department grants you the grade of an A+ on your internship project and we approve and endorse that you be granted the honorable title of Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Science.
"Congratulations Dr. Caine, you have become a fine forensic scientist."
Jessica's hands flew over her mouth as tears streamed down her face. She gasped for air as she thanked the panel of professors and the room burst into a standing ovation. Horatio ran to his daughter and encased her in his arms. She buried her face into his neck and cried.
"You did it Bug," he whispered, "You passed. You made history. Your mother would be proud."
"Oh god Daddy…" Jessica sobbed against his shirt collar.
Jessica felt another hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Jesse standing next to her. He smiled at her. "Congratulations Jessie, I knew you could do it." He pulled her into his arms and held her close. He kissed the side of her head. "I'm so proud of you. I knew you wouldn't disgrace the name Jesse. Remember, we'll always have that Jesse power." Jessica smiled and kissed his cheek.
Natalia was the next to tackle Jessica. "Oh my god Jessie, you were so amazing! I could never do that, all those people watching. You were fabulous!" Jessica smiled and hugged her big sister. "Thank you Natalia."
Jessica stepped back and looked at Ryan. He gave her a small smile and held out his arms. Jessica ran and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. Ryan lost his balance and fell to the floor. Jessica nuzzled her face into his neck and cried. "They're right you know," Ryan said, "You did an incredible job these last nine months. Hell you figured out all the shit I couldn't. Without you we wouldn't have been able to solve all those cases. I'm so proud of you Jessica." He kissed her cheek and held her close. "But I need you to get off of me now, my junk still hurts."
Jessica giggled and climbed off of Ryan. She helped him stand up. They stood there just looking into each other's eyes holding hands. Jessica released her hold and slid her hands up to his face. She just looked at him and felt her heart swell.
"I love you Jessica," Ryan said. Jessica looked at him one last time and pulled his face to hers.
Jessica kissed him passionately. Her head spun, she saw stars, and her heart exploded. Ryan pulled her against his body and kissed her back. He was sure there were sparks emitting from their lips and their bodies glowed. When they finally broke apart they were gasping for air. Ryan smiled at Jessica and brushed his thumb lightly against her cheek.
"Now what brought on that?" he asked her.
"You," she replied, as she pulled him in for another kiss.
The elevator cart came to a stop and the doors opened. The entire lab and most of the Miami Dade Police Department was standing there applauding. Jessica walked out of the cart with her father with Ryan, Natalia, and Jesse following close behind. There were balloons and streamers and someone was throwing confetti. There was a giant sign that read "Congratulations Dr. Stone-Caine." Jessica smiled as she took everything in.
"Dad," she said, "Who did this?" Horatio didn't get the chance to answer as Calleigh came bursting through the crowd. She encased Jessica in her arms and kissed her cheek.
"Congratulations Jessie!" she squealed, "Oh we're all so proud and excited for you!"
"Calleigh was this your doing?" Jessica managed to ask.
"Yes!" Calleigh exclaimed. "Hey, I help!" Walter said as he walked up. He tossed a handful of confetti into the air and it fell onto Jessica's head.
"Well thank you both!" Jessica said as she hugged Walter.
"You deserved it after all the work you did." Eric said, suddenly at her side. He pulled her in for a hug and pecked her on the cheek. He smiled at her and looked into her eyes. "My little niece just earned her third Doctrine."
"Come on Jessie, there's cake!" Calleigh exclaimed, grabbing Jessie's hand and dragging her through the lab.
Everyone was standing around the break room enjoying the cake the department had bought when Jessica heard her phone ring. She excused herself to the hall to answer the call.
Jessica didn't recognize the number flashing on her screen.
"Dr. Caine" she answered.
"Hello Dr. Caine," a man's voice said, "My name's Dr. Cooper and I'm with the University of Denver. I've been looking for someone to replace the role of Professor of Forensic Science here at UD and Dr. Bires recommended you when I called him this afternoon. I was wondering if you would like to come teach for us. You would start in two weeks with the summer session. Your housing would be provided by the university and you would be employed full time."
Jessica stood there dazed. A full time teaching job? That might pay better than a crime lab. But what was she thinking? She couldn't leave Ryan and Miami.
"I'm sorry Dr. Copper but I'm going to have to respectfully decline. I've already received a job offer here in Miami. Thank you though for the offer."
"Very well, thank you anyways Dr. Caine." Dr. Cooper said, "If you ever change your mind though feel free to give me a call anytime."
Jessica walked back into the break room with everyone. Horatio walked up to her and wrapped his arm around her. "If I could have everyone's attention for a moment." He said loudly. Everyone turned and looked at Jessica and Horatio.
"I would like to take this moment to congratulate Dr. Stone-Caine on her amazing work, both at the university and here at the crime lab." Everyone applauded and Horatio patiently waited for them to stop. "I would also like to formally present Dr. Stone-Caine here with a job offer to work for the Miami Dade Police Department Crime Lab as a full time Forensic Specialist and Crime Scene Investigator." Horatio held out an envelope for Jessica. Her face lit up with a wide grin and she accepted the envelope from Horatio.
"Thank you Lieutenant Caine," Jessica said, "And I hope I'm not being too hasty when I say I would love to accept your offer."
Horatio smiled at his daughter. "I don't see anything too hasty about it at all. Unfortunately we cannot hire you until after you've graduated, so enjoy the next five days off. But Monday morning I better see you here, 7:00am sharp."
Jessica smiled and hugged her father. "Congratulations Bug" Horatio whispered to her.
"Thank you Daddy H" she whispered back.