Chapter 2
Grace didn't say anything on the way to the hospital. How did she get herself into these situations? She listened to Catherine and Nick tell their boss, Grissom she thought his name was, what happened. What was she doing here with three strangers riding to the hospital? No wonder Andrew hated her; she did make a mess of everything. Everything except her music. Her music was the one thing that kept her going the past five years. She closed her eyes and started thinking about the new music she had been writing.
Catherine was sitting next to Grace and heard her start to hum. She couldn't place the song but it was beautiful. Grissom and Nick must have heard too because they stopped talking.
Grace jumped when her phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the number, "Shit." She mumbled. She took a deep breath and answered. "Hey John."
"I told you I was going to run some errands this morning."
She laughed, "Yes as a matter of fact I do know I dismissed my driver."
She turned her head toward the window, "No I am not out walking in the Vegas sun getting a heat stroke."
"Yes I'm in a car John, that's very observant of you."
She sighed, "I know, I'm sorry." She looked over at Catherine; "I'm out with a friend right now so I'm fine, I won't get lost."
"Just a friend."
"Look was there something you wanted or did you just call to bug me?" She said.
She looked back out the window, "I'm sorry I know you worry but you don't have to, "she said.
"Tonight? No I really don't feel like doing publicity photos tonight. I just want to go back to my room after practice and lay down."
"Definitely not a party either John."
"Give me a break OK."
"No I didn't." she said. John was raising his voice now and she knew everyone in the car could hear him talking about Andrew. "No John I didn't go to see him." She laid her head back on the seat, "I promised you I wouldn't go before I performed didn't I." She said faintly.
"Yes I have a headache and yes I took my medicine,"
She could feel the tears coming, "I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean to hurt you. I just.."
Catherine had enough; she took the phone from Grace, "John, Hi this is Catherine Willows, Grace's friend. Her and I are doing some shopping and I will have her back in time to practice, promise. Oh, we're here at the store, gotta go." She hung the phone and handed it back to Grace and smiled.
Grace smiled back at her, "Thanks. John is my manager and he worries. He's very over protective of me."
They pulled up the hospital and Nick got out and helped Grace out. She held onto his arm thankful that he was there. They walked into the emergency room and the staff saw their badges and put them right into a room.
"You guys don't have to stay." Grace said, "I know you're busy and you probably need to get back to work." She looked over at Grissom talking to the doctor before he came into the room.
Catherine sat down in the chair next to the bed and Nick leaned up against the wall, "We got nothing better to do right now." He said to her.
She laughed, "Right."
The doctor came in, "Hello Ms. Lynn I'm Doctor Martinez. We'll get you fixed up right away." He motioned for the nurse; "We're just going to take some quick pictures before we do, just for the file."
She looked at Catherine, "Is that normal?"
Grissom came up to her, "Yes it's normal to do that with this kind of injury."
"Oh, OK."
The nurse came over and took pictures of her head and the backs of her arms. "We'll also put some cream on the cuts on your arms, it should take the pain away."
"Oh no," Grace said, 'Nothing that will numb my arms."
"It will only numb that area, it will help."
"No I can't have anything on that numbs my arms, I have to practice tonight. Just put some antibacterial on it and cover it." Grace was adamant.
The nurse looked over at Catherine and Nick; "She's a concert pianist."
The nurse turned back, "Oh, are you the one doing the Christmas concert at the Grand?"
Grace shook her head, "Yes I am."
"I love that music." She went to the cabinet and got a different bottle. She put some ointment on her arms and covered it with bandages; "It's so beautiful. Everyone here at the hospital has been talking about the concert. I tell you, we are so glad your donating the proceeds to the children's ward. It is sorely needed."
Grace blushed, "It's nothing really."
"Not many people would donate money to a hospital in a city they don't even live in. It's something actually." She finished wrapping her arms, "Shows there's still good people in the world."
Grace smiled at the nurse; "You're very nice. What's your name?"
"Mary Hawkins."
Grace had an idea, "Mary would you like to go to the concert?"
Mary laughed a little, "Oh I'd love to but the concerts been sold out for months."
"Hang on," Grace reached over and picked up her cell phone and dialed, "Hi, this is Grace Lynn, could you leave two tickets at the door for Mary Hawkins. Thanks."
Mary smiled at her, "Oh thank you. That was so sweet of you."
Grace put her phone away and looked at her, "Well I get ten balcony tickets to every concert, I usually donate them but I forgot this time."
The doctor came in with a tray to put the stitches in; "Ok we'll just need to shave a little of your hair to put these in."
Grace was shocked, "Shave my hair! Uh, is there any other way to get it done without doing that?"
The doctor hesitated, "Well, it is a lot easier doing it without your hair getting in the way."
"Can you do it without?" She asked again.
Catherine came over, "It really is better is they have a clear spot to put the stitches in."
"Ok." She sighed, "But not too much please."
The doctor laughed, "As little as possible."
Grissom was standing by the door watching when Brass came up to him; "Don't yours usually come in the back door Gris?"
Grissom walked out into the hall, "Funny"
"New case? I didn't hear anything?"
"No, it's an in-house issue."
Jim looked in at the girl again, "She get hurt in your lab? Who is she?"
Grissom walked away from the door so they wouldn't be overheard. "She the brother of one of the techs and he pushed her. She needed some stitches."
"Who the hell did that!" Brass asked
"Andrew Lynn, he's new to the night shift."
"You want me to talk to him."
"No she doesn't want to press charges or anything but I had the doc take pictures. Hopefully Catherine and Nick can talk to her." He looked back in the room and then at Brass, "But if you can give me a ride I think I'll go talk to him."
"Sure thing."
Grissom walked into the hospital room; "I'm going to catch a ride with Brass. You guys take the Tahoe."
Grace looked at him, "Mr. Grissom I really am sorry for the trouble I caused. Please don't be angry with Andrew it was my fault."
He smiled at her, "No problem. You just feel better OK."
She smiled at him, "OK."
The nurse came in with Grace's discharge paperwork and instructions for keeping the stitches dry. She thanked her again for the tickets and told her to call if she had any questions.
Grace got in the back of the Tahoe and Nick turned and asked her where she wanted to go.
"Actually it's almost time for my practice so you can just take me to the Grand. If that's ok?" she asked.
"Of course it's fine." Catherine said.
They were all quiet on the way there. Grace was admiring the scenery as they drove. "You know it's my first time in Vegas." She said, "It's really quite fascinating."
"Yeah, there's always something going on, " Nick said. He pulled up the driveway of the hotel.
They were getting out of the car when Catherine's cell phone rang. She stepped away to talk.
Grace turned to look at the fountain in the center of the driveway. "I wonder how much the water bill is on that thing."
Nick laughed, "Quite a penny I'm sure."
Catherine hung up and came over. "That was the sitter, I need to pick up Lindsey from school."
Grace took her hand, "Catherine, I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me. I can't wait to meet Lindsey tomorrow."
Catherine pulled out her card and wrote on it, "This is my cell and home number. If you need anything, please call me." She handed the card to Grace and turned to Nick.
"I think I might stick around for a while. I'll get a ride back later." He turned to Grace, "If that's ok?"
Grace smiled, "That's fine."
He handed the keys to Catherine who was smiling at him. "OK Nick, see you later."
They walked up the steps to the hotel and Nick put his hand on her back to guide her. They got to the door and as soon as they stepped through she saw the manager come straight over to her. "Here we go." She said.
"Ms. Lynn. How was your morning? I hope you found everything you were looking for."
"Yes thank you Mr. King, I did."
"Excellent, just what we like to hear. Is there anything I can do for you? Lunch perhaps?"
"No thank you. Actually I need to practice, is the room ready?"
"Of course, everything you requested is there. I personally looked over everything. We want to do whatever it takes to make your stay here enjoyable."
She turned and started walking to the theatre. "Thank you Mr. King, I'm sure everything is perfect." She turned back to him; "I need two hours of uninterrupted time."
"Absolutely, I read the memo from your agent and everyone has been instructed to give you your privacy. I will have the ice water delivered right away so you can start practicing. How many bottles of water will you need?"
"Not bottles, a pitcher of ice water and a bath towel please."
"No bottled water, are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes, the water is for my hands after I practice so I need a pitcher with a large mouth." She said.
"Right away. Again let me know if you need anything."
Grace sighed, "Jeez."
Nick laughed, "I guess that's what happens when your famous."
"Yeah I guess, but I never get used to it."
They walked into the theatre and Nick saw the large stage and nothing was on it except for a white baby grand. He whistled. "Nice."
"Pretty isn't it."
"Pretty scary? Up there like that." He asked.
"Not too. Shall we?" she walked up the aisle toward the stage and saw a waiter put a tray next to the piano with the water and towel. "Thank you." The waiter bowed and left as quietly as he came.
"Do you want me to sit down here? I don't want to distract you." Nick said. He wasn't sure why he decided to stay but he just felt like he didn't want her to be alone right now.
She looked over at him took his hand and led him up to the piano. "I'll let you in on a little secret. A secret that no one knows, no one but you now." She paused and looked at him, "I don't really practice my concert the night before. I figure if I don't know it by then, then I don't need to be performing it."
Nick laughed, "So what do you do then?" They sat down on the piano together.
"Play whatever I want." She said and smiled at him. She was glad he stayed with her. She met all kinds of people that were nice to her but most of them wanted something from her but Nick didn't. "Why don't we play a game." She started playing scales on the piano to loosen her fingers.
Nick watched her fingers fly over the keys, "What kind of game?"
"I'll play a song and you see if you can name it."
He laughed, "I don't think I know any of your songs."
She smiled at him, "But I know some of yours." She started playing an old country song.
Nick smiled at her, "Patsy Cline."
"Very good. Name?"
"Please. One of my favorites, I Fall to Pieces."
She continued to play, "Good."
She finished and started another, "Ok, something newer."
Nick sat and listened for a minute. He could tell it was another country song. He laughed when he recognized it, "Garth Brooks, Friends in Low Places."
"Correct." She finished the Garth song and started a slower one.
"Yellow Rose of Texas." Nick said
"One of my favorite Texas songs." She looked at him and smiled, "Here's one you should recognize." She started playing Texas, My Texas.
"Whoa not too many people can play that one." He looked at her while she played.
"Well, I played for President Bush a couple of months ago and learned it because I figured he would want to hear it." She stopped playing and looked over at him. "OK now the request portion of our show. What would you like to hear?"
"Play me something of yours." He said.
She started playing; "The way to a girl's heart is through her music. This is the first one I wrote." She continued to play and got into the music like she always did. Music was always a release for her, especially when she was young. She could be someone else when she played. She closed her eyes and played.
Nick watched her play. He had never heard the music before but it was wonderful. He sat and watched and listened.
Grace finished and slowly opened her eyes and found Nick watching her, "Sorry." she said.
"Don't be." He looked down at her hands resting on the keys, "That was a beautiful song."
"Thanks." She whispered. Automatically her hands started playing again.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas. Doesn't that constitute as practice?" He joked.
She laughed, "Not if its for pleasure. So tell me, what is Nick Stokes favorite Christmas song."
"Oh that's easy, I'll be Home for Christmas." He watched her go pale when he said it, "But you don't have to play it."
Her fingers stopped so fast on the keys when he spoke. She got tears in her eyes but blinked them away.
Nick saw her eyes water and took her hand, "Grace what's wrong?"
She looked down at her hand in his and instinctively tightened her fingers around his. It would be so easy to talk to him, to tell him everything she was feeling. It felt so good to know somebody cared about her at this moment. She hadn't felt that way in a long time. She looked up at him, "That was my mom's favorite song, she used to make me play it and sing to her over the phone when I was gone." She took a deep breath, "I haven't played it in five years."
"So what is going on here?"
Grace jumped when she heard John's voice but Nick kept hold of her hand. She looked over at John. "I'm practicing."
John looked at Grace's hand enclosed in the guy's sitting next to her. "With one hand?" he asked sarcastically.
"John, please. This is Nick Stokes, Nick this is John Anderson, my manager."
"Nice to meet you." Nick said.
John looked at him "You too." He turned to Grace, "Are finished practicing?" he asked.
"No not yet, I still have thirty minutes. What are you doing here?"
"Well, since I had no idea where you were today and I wanted to be sure you were ok. And when I got back and they told me you weren't alone, that a man was with you." He looked at Nick again; "Since you were with Catherine earlier and now you're with Nick here it makes me curious as to where you were today. I'm pretty sure you said you didn't know anyone here in Vegas except for your brother." Just then his cell phone rang and he answered it.
She rubbed her forehead "I'm sorry Nick. I'm sure he doesn't mean to be rude, it's just how he is." She said.
"It's OK, don't worry about it." He watched John talk on the phone and heard him raise his voice, "Sounds like he does it with everyone."
She laughed, "Yeah he doesn't discriminate when it comes to that." She looked down at their hands, "Thanks for staying with me while I practice."
He squeezed her hand, "No problem." He looked at his watch. "You know we didn't eat lunch yet, why don't we do grab something."
"OK." Grace looked at John who had his back turned. She whispered, "Let's sneak out. He's so into his call he'll never see us." They both stood up and Grace pulled Nick behind her to the wings of the stage and they went out the door. She went over to the steps and pushed the door open. She laughed when they got to the garage. "Let me call the desk and have them leave him a message."
They started walking down the strip, "So where do you want to eat?" Nick asked.
"I'm not real hungry." She looked around and saw all the lights, "You're the native, you pick."
He knew exactly where to go. He took he arm and led her to The Sun. It was a small casino that sat off the strip and wasn't too far from the Grand. They went in and he took her to a slot machine. He motioned for the waitress, "Two lunch specials please."
The waitress handed him two cups and when Grace looked in them she laughed. She reached in and pulled out four quarters and put them in the slot. "Perfect."
They sat in front on the slots and played for almost an hour. Nick ordered them a sandwich and they shared lunch while they played. Grace was down to her last few quarters and lost. She looked over at Nick who still had quarters in his cup. "How do you do that?"
Nick laughed, "Years of practice." He offered her some of his quarters but she shook her head. "Shall we go back then."
She sighed, "Yes I guess I better." She stood up and they walked back toward the hotel. "I had a really nice afternoon Nick, thank you for staying with me."
"My pleasure of course." He walked her into the lobby; "I'll walk you to your room." He pushed the elevator button, "What floor."
"Penthouse." She said. They rode up to the top and she led him to the door at the end of the hall.
"Presidential Suite, nice." He joked.
"Oh yeah. All that room for one person, its such a waste." She took her key out and opened the door.
Nick pulled his card out of his wallet and handed it to her. "Here are my numbers too, in case you need anything. Day or night OK?"
She took the card from him and put it in her pocket, "OK" She hesitated a minute and then leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek, "Thanks again Nick."
Nick felt her hair brush his face when she kissed him. He turned his head slightly and inhaled, honey. Her hair smelled like honey. He gently put his hand around her back and pulled her to him. He felt her slowly wrap her arms around his back. He bent down and kissed her softly on the lips and whispered in her ear, "Anytime."
Grace shivered when their lips touched and her arms tightened around him. She looked up at him and smiled, "I just might take you up on that."
He smiled back and slowly let her go, "Day or night." He said before he backed up.
She laughed and backed up into the room. She watched him turn and walk back to the elevator and closed the door. She turned around and slid down the door. Wow, she thought.
Nick was whistling when he got onto the elevator. He laughed when he realized it was Yellow Rose of Texas.
Grace didn't say anything on the way to the hospital. How did she get herself into these situations? She listened to Catherine and Nick tell their boss, Grissom she thought his name was, what happened. What was she doing here with three strangers riding to the hospital? No wonder Andrew hated her; she did make a mess of everything. Everything except her music. Her music was the one thing that kept her going the past five years. She closed her eyes and started thinking about the new music she had been writing.
Catherine was sitting next to Grace and heard her start to hum. She couldn't place the song but it was beautiful. Grissom and Nick must have heard too because they stopped talking.
Grace jumped when her phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the number, "Shit." She mumbled. She took a deep breath and answered. "Hey John."
"I told you I was going to run some errands this morning."
She laughed, "Yes as a matter of fact I do know I dismissed my driver."
She turned her head toward the window, "No I am not out walking in the Vegas sun getting a heat stroke."
"Yes I'm in a car John, that's very observant of you."
She sighed, "I know, I'm sorry." She looked over at Catherine; "I'm out with a friend right now so I'm fine, I won't get lost."
"Just a friend."
"Look was there something you wanted or did you just call to bug me?" She said.
She looked back out the window, "I'm sorry I know you worry but you don't have to, "she said.
"Tonight? No I really don't feel like doing publicity photos tonight. I just want to go back to my room after practice and lay down."
"Definitely not a party either John."
"Give me a break OK."
"No I didn't." she said. John was raising his voice now and she knew everyone in the car could hear him talking about Andrew. "No John I didn't go to see him." She laid her head back on the seat, "I promised you I wouldn't go before I performed didn't I." She said faintly.
"Yes I have a headache and yes I took my medicine,"
She could feel the tears coming, "I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean to hurt you. I just.."
Catherine had enough; she took the phone from Grace, "John, Hi this is Catherine Willows, Grace's friend. Her and I are doing some shopping and I will have her back in time to practice, promise. Oh, we're here at the store, gotta go." She hung the phone and handed it back to Grace and smiled.
Grace smiled back at her, "Thanks. John is my manager and he worries. He's very over protective of me."
They pulled up the hospital and Nick got out and helped Grace out. She held onto his arm thankful that he was there. They walked into the emergency room and the staff saw their badges and put them right into a room.
"You guys don't have to stay." Grace said, "I know you're busy and you probably need to get back to work." She looked over at Grissom talking to the doctor before he came into the room.
Catherine sat down in the chair next to the bed and Nick leaned up against the wall, "We got nothing better to do right now." He said to her.
She laughed, "Right."
The doctor came in, "Hello Ms. Lynn I'm Doctor Martinez. We'll get you fixed up right away." He motioned for the nurse; "We're just going to take some quick pictures before we do, just for the file."
She looked at Catherine, "Is that normal?"
Grissom came up to her, "Yes it's normal to do that with this kind of injury."
"Oh, OK."
The nurse came over and took pictures of her head and the backs of her arms. "We'll also put some cream on the cuts on your arms, it should take the pain away."
"Oh no," Grace said, 'Nothing that will numb my arms."
"It will only numb that area, it will help."
"No I can't have anything on that numbs my arms, I have to practice tonight. Just put some antibacterial on it and cover it." Grace was adamant.
The nurse looked over at Catherine and Nick; "She's a concert pianist."
The nurse turned back, "Oh, are you the one doing the Christmas concert at the Grand?"
Grace shook her head, "Yes I am."
"I love that music." She went to the cabinet and got a different bottle. She put some ointment on her arms and covered it with bandages; "It's so beautiful. Everyone here at the hospital has been talking about the concert. I tell you, we are so glad your donating the proceeds to the children's ward. It is sorely needed."
Grace blushed, "It's nothing really."
"Not many people would donate money to a hospital in a city they don't even live in. It's something actually." She finished wrapping her arms, "Shows there's still good people in the world."
Grace smiled at the nurse; "You're very nice. What's your name?"
"Mary Hawkins."
Grace had an idea, "Mary would you like to go to the concert?"
Mary laughed a little, "Oh I'd love to but the concerts been sold out for months."
"Hang on," Grace reached over and picked up her cell phone and dialed, "Hi, this is Grace Lynn, could you leave two tickets at the door for Mary Hawkins. Thanks."
Mary smiled at her, "Oh thank you. That was so sweet of you."
Grace put her phone away and looked at her, "Well I get ten balcony tickets to every concert, I usually donate them but I forgot this time."
The doctor came in with a tray to put the stitches in; "Ok we'll just need to shave a little of your hair to put these in."
Grace was shocked, "Shave my hair! Uh, is there any other way to get it done without doing that?"
The doctor hesitated, "Well, it is a lot easier doing it without your hair getting in the way."
"Can you do it without?" She asked again.
Catherine came over, "It really is better is they have a clear spot to put the stitches in."
"Ok." She sighed, "But not too much please."
The doctor laughed, "As little as possible."
Grissom was standing by the door watching when Brass came up to him; "Don't yours usually come in the back door Gris?"
Grissom walked out into the hall, "Funny"
"New case? I didn't hear anything?"
"No, it's an in-house issue."
Jim looked in at the girl again, "She get hurt in your lab? Who is she?"
Grissom walked away from the door so they wouldn't be overheard. "She the brother of one of the techs and he pushed her. She needed some stitches."
"Who the hell did that!" Brass asked
"Andrew Lynn, he's new to the night shift."
"You want me to talk to him."
"No she doesn't want to press charges or anything but I had the doc take pictures. Hopefully Catherine and Nick can talk to her." He looked back in the room and then at Brass, "But if you can give me a ride I think I'll go talk to him."
"Sure thing."
Grissom walked into the hospital room; "I'm going to catch a ride with Brass. You guys take the Tahoe."
Grace looked at him, "Mr. Grissom I really am sorry for the trouble I caused. Please don't be angry with Andrew it was my fault."
He smiled at her, "No problem. You just feel better OK."
She smiled at him, "OK."
The nurse came in with Grace's discharge paperwork and instructions for keeping the stitches dry. She thanked her again for the tickets and told her to call if she had any questions.
Grace got in the back of the Tahoe and Nick turned and asked her where she wanted to go.
"Actually it's almost time for my practice so you can just take me to the Grand. If that's ok?" she asked.
"Of course it's fine." Catherine said.
They were all quiet on the way there. Grace was admiring the scenery as they drove. "You know it's my first time in Vegas." She said, "It's really quite fascinating."
"Yeah, there's always something going on, " Nick said. He pulled up the driveway of the hotel.
They were getting out of the car when Catherine's cell phone rang. She stepped away to talk.
Grace turned to look at the fountain in the center of the driveway. "I wonder how much the water bill is on that thing."
Nick laughed, "Quite a penny I'm sure."
Catherine hung up and came over. "That was the sitter, I need to pick up Lindsey from school."
Grace took her hand, "Catherine, I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me. I can't wait to meet Lindsey tomorrow."
Catherine pulled out her card and wrote on it, "This is my cell and home number. If you need anything, please call me." She handed the card to Grace and turned to Nick.
"I think I might stick around for a while. I'll get a ride back later." He turned to Grace, "If that's ok?"
Grace smiled, "That's fine."
He handed the keys to Catherine who was smiling at him. "OK Nick, see you later."
They walked up the steps to the hotel and Nick put his hand on her back to guide her. They got to the door and as soon as they stepped through she saw the manager come straight over to her. "Here we go." She said.
"Ms. Lynn. How was your morning? I hope you found everything you were looking for."
"Yes thank you Mr. King, I did."
"Excellent, just what we like to hear. Is there anything I can do for you? Lunch perhaps?"
"No thank you. Actually I need to practice, is the room ready?"
"Of course, everything you requested is there. I personally looked over everything. We want to do whatever it takes to make your stay here enjoyable."
She turned and started walking to the theatre. "Thank you Mr. King, I'm sure everything is perfect." She turned back to him; "I need two hours of uninterrupted time."
"Absolutely, I read the memo from your agent and everyone has been instructed to give you your privacy. I will have the ice water delivered right away so you can start practicing. How many bottles of water will you need?"
"Not bottles, a pitcher of ice water and a bath towel please."
"No bottled water, are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes, the water is for my hands after I practice so I need a pitcher with a large mouth." She said.
"Right away. Again let me know if you need anything."
Grace sighed, "Jeez."
Nick laughed, "I guess that's what happens when your famous."
"Yeah I guess, but I never get used to it."
They walked into the theatre and Nick saw the large stage and nothing was on it except for a white baby grand. He whistled. "Nice."
"Pretty isn't it."
"Pretty scary? Up there like that." He asked.
"Not too. Shall we?" she walked up the aisle toward the stage and saw a waiter put a tray next to the piano with the water and towel. "Thank you." The waiter bowed and left as quietly as he came.
"Do you want me to sit down here? I don't want to distract you." Nick said. He wasn't sure why he decided to stay but he just felt like he didn't want her to be alone right now.
She looked over at him took his hand and led him up to the piano. "I'll let you in on a little secret. A secret that no one knows, no one but you now." She paused and looked at him, "I don't really practice my concert the night before. I figure if I don't know it by then, then I don't need to be performing it."
Nick laughed, "So what do you do then?" They sat down on the piano together.
"Play whatever I want." She said and smiled at him. She was glad he stayed with her. She met all kinds of people that were nice to her but most of them wanted something from her but Nick didn't. "Why don't we play a game." She started playing scales on the piano to loosen her fingers.
Nick watched her fingers fly over the keys, "What kind of game?"
"I'll play a song and you see if you can name it."
He laughed, "I don't think I know any of your songs."
She smiled at him, "But I know some of yours." She started playing an old country song.
Nick smiled at her, "Patsy Cline."
"Very good. Name?"
"Please. One of my favorites, I Fall to Pieces."
She continued to play, "Good."
She finished and started another, "Ok, something newer."
Nick sat and listened for a minute. He could tell it was another country song. He laughed when he recognized it, "Garth Brooks, Friends in Low Places."
"Correct." She finished the Garth song and started a slower one.
"Yellow Rose of Texas." Nick said
"One of my favorite Texas songs." She looked at him and smiled, "Here's one you should recognize." She started playing Texas, My Texas.
"Whoa not too many people can play that one." He looked at her while she played.
"Well, I played for President Bush a couple of months ago and learned it because I figured he would want to hear it." She stopped playing and looked over at him. "OK now the request portion of our show. What would you like to hear?"
"Play me something of yours." He said.
She started playing; "The way to a girl's heart is through her music. This is the first one I wrote." She continued to play and got into the music like she always did. Music was always a release for her, especially when she was young. She could be someone else when she played. She closed her eyes and played.
Nick watched her play. He had never heard the music before but it was wonderful. He sat and watched and listened.
Grace finished and slowly opened her eyes and found Nick watching her, "Sorry." she said.
"Don't be." He looked down at her hands resting on the keys, "That was a beautiful song."
"Thanks." She whispered. Automatically her hands started playing again.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas. Doesn't that constitute as practice?" He joked.
She laughed, "Not if its for pleasure. So tell me, what is Nick Stokes favorite Christmas song."
"Oh that's easy, I'll be Home for Christmas." He watched her go pale when he said it, "But you don't have to play it."
Her fingers stopped so fast on the keys when he spoke. She got tears in her eyes but blinked them away.
Nick saw her eyes water and took her hand, "Grace what's wrong?"
She looked down at her hand in his and instinctively tightened her fingers around his. It would be so easy to talk to him, to tell him everything she was feeling. It felt so good to know somebody cared about her at this moment. She hadn't felt that way in a long time. She looked up at him, "That was my mom's favorite song, she used to make me play it and sing to her over the phone when I was gone." She took a deep breath, "I haven't played it in five years."
"So what is going on here?"
Grace jumped when she heard John's voice but Nick kept hold of her hand. She looked over at John. "I'm practicing."
John looked at Grace's hand enclosed in the guy's sitting next to her. "With one hand?" he asked sarcastically.
"John, please. This is Nick Stokes, Nick this is John Anderson, my manager."
"Nice to meet you." Nick said.
John looked at him "You too." He turned to Grace, "Are finished practicing?" he asked.
"No not yet, I still have thirty minutes. What are you doing here?"
"Well, since I had no idea where you were today and I wanted to be sure you were ok. And when I got back and they told me you weren't alone, that a man was with you." He looked at Nick again; "Since you were with Catherine earlier and now you're with Nick here it makes me curious as to where you were today. I'm pretty sure you said you didn't know anyone here in Vegas except for your brother." Just then his cell phone rang and he answered it.
She rubbed her forehead "I'm sorry Nick. I'm sure he doesn't mean to be rude, it's just how he is." She said.
"It's OK, don't worry about it." He watched John talk on the phone and heard him raise his voice, "Sounds like he does it with everyone."
She laughed, "Yeah he doesn't discriminate when it comes to that." She looked down at their hands, "Thanks for staying with me while I practice."
He squeezed her hand, "No problem." He looked at his watch. "You know we didn't eat lunch yet, why don't we do grab something."
"OK." Grace looked at John who had his back turned. She whispered, "Let's sneak out. He's so into his call he'll never see us." They both stood up and Grace pulled Nick behind her to the wings of the stage and they went out the door. She went over to the steps and pushed the door open. She laughed when they got to the garage. "Let me call the desk and have them leave him a message."
They started walking down the strip, "So where do you want to eat?" Nick asked.
"I'm not real hungry." She looked around and saw all the lights, "You're the native, you pick."
He knew exactly where to go. He took he arm and led her to The Sun. It was a small casino that sat off the strip and wasn't too far from the Grand. They went in and he took her to a slot machine. He motioned for the waitress, "Two lunch specials please."
The waitress handed him two cups and when Grace looked in them she laughed. She reached in and pulled out four quarters and put them in the slot. "Perfect."
They sat in front on the slots and played for almost an hour. Nick ordered them a sandwich and they shared lunch while they played. Grace was down to her last few quarters and lost. She looked over at Nick who still had quarters in his cup. "How do you do that?"
Nick laughed, "Years of practice." He offered her some of his quarters but she shook her head. "Shall we go back then."
She sighed, "Yes I guess I better." She stood up and they walked back toward the hotel. "I had a really nice afternoon Nick, thank you for staying with me."
"My pleasure of course." He walked her into the lobby; "I'll walk you to your room." He pushed the elevator button, "What floor."
"Penthouse." She said. They rode up to the top and she led him to the door at the end of the hall.
"Presidential Suite, nice." He joked.
"Oh yeah. All that room for one person, its such a waste." She took her key out and opened the door.
Nick pulled his card out of his wallet and handed it to her. "Here are my numbers too, in case you need anything. Day or night OK?"
She took the card from him and put it in her pocket, "OK" She hesitated a minute and then leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek, "Thanks again Nick."
Nick felt her hair brush his face when she kissed him. He turned his head slightly and inhaled, honey. Her hair smelled like honey. He gently put his hand around her back and pulled her to him. He felt her slowly wrap her arms around his back. He bent down and kissed her softly on the lips and whispered in her ear, "Anytime."
Grace shivered when their lips touched and her arms tightened around him. She looked up at him and smiled, "I just might take you up on that."
He smiled back and slowly let her go, "Day or night." He said before he backed up.
She laughed and backed up into the room. She watched him turn and walk back to the elevator and closed the door. She turned around and slid down the door. Wow, she thought.
Nick was whistling when he got onto the elevator. He laughed when he realized it was Yellow Rose of Texas.