NOTE: this chapter has been edited to comply with this website's rules. If you would prefer to read the original version please go to the author page and click on my homepage link. It is Chapter 69: Close Encounters - Part 2.
Feasibility Study
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Close Encounters – Part 2
August 21, 2005 (Day 121)
The Grissoms'
2:09 a.m.
When Gil returned with an assortment of leftover party food and drinks he found Sara wearing his shirt and her panties, lying on her back staring at the stars. "I certainly hope you're not checking out Orion's Belt, because I'm the jealous type."
Sitting up she assured him, "The Big Dipper actually…because it reminds me of you." Accepting a plate of food from his hand, she grinned. "Question for you…"
"Go ahead." Taking a seat on the blanket with her, he grabbed a strawberry from his plate and once again found himself captivated by her beauty in the moonlight.
Licking the chocolate frosting she just swirled onto her fingertip from the cake on her plate she taunted, "When exactly did you speed read those sex books Catherine and Warrick gave you tonight? Because, the more I think about our love making just now, I know there was something new going on."
After choking momentarily on his strawberry he answered, "I was multi-tasking when I was out here lighting the candles, but I only finished chapter two of the first book so…stay tuned."
"I'll be sure to take my vitamins." Eyeing a cheese wedge, she nabbed it and a second later it was gone.
"You are taking them, right?" He asked with a hint of concern in his voice. "Your pre-natal vitamins?"
"Religiously for two months now." Out of the corner of her eye she watched him. "Why? Are you concerned it could be more critical for me to take them all of a sudden?"
Resisting the smirk that begged to make an appearance on his face he casually replied, "The time prior to fertilization is just as important as after."
She didn't acknowledge his lack of the right answer. "You know what I want to do after this?"
"Play Boggle?" He broke into an easy laugh. "Warrick told me playing Boggle with you is no fun. He said he'll stick to playing Lindsay because at least he wins half the time."
"Next time I play someone I think I'll give them a one minute lead." Then she saw her husband's knowing stare. "Okay one and a half minutes."
"So what were you really going to say you wanted to do after this?"
"Go for a swim." Wriggling her eyebrows she added, "Sans swimsuits." Then a shiver ran through her. "Wait…you don't think anyone used our pool for their own pleasure tonight, do you?"
"Nick and Greg were the only two out there for any length of time but, if it will make you feel better, I'll do a quick protein hunt around the perimeter."
"Let's not have you do that, because if you do find something…"
"Good point." He laughed. "Carrie probably wouldn't handle the news well."
"Are you still smarting from losing to her at poker?" Grabbing her fork, she drove it into the thick slice of cake her husband had cut for her.
"It was the luck of the draw on that last hand, you can't compete with a royal flush, but I was sloppy, I shouldn't have gone all-in. I read her wrong. I thought the euphoria she was exuding related to romping with Nick in the pool house, not her cards."
"It was great seeing her have such a good time tonight…I mean at the party in general, not in the pool house." After another bite of cake she confessed, "The problem is, I promised her I'd do something crazy with her if she beat you and now of course I'm regretting it. I never thought you'd really lose."
"What did you agree to do?" His curious mind ran through some possibilities. "I'm guessing it has to do with shoes."
"Shoes do factor in. I'll tell you, but have to promise not to tell Nick because she's doing this to surprise him on their honeymoon." Pointing her fork at him she reiterated, "Promise."
"Of course I promise."
Rolling her eyes Sara groaned, "I agreed to go with her to this Cardio Striptease aerobics class tomorrow evening. You keep your clothes on of course…well most of them, she said you're supposed to wear a nice sports bra, short-shorts and bring stilettos for when you work on an actual routine. Anyway, she's doing it because Tawny swears that's how she acquired and maintains her killer abs and thighs. Carrie wants to look great in a bathing suit since she and Nick have decided to go to Kauai on their honeymoon. Tawny apparently demonstrated for Carrie how the class makes you extremely limber." She chuckled, "Which I hear is also good when you're on your honeymoon in Kauai."
"Cardio Striptease?" He tried not to laugh. "You are going to bare some of your body in public while bumping and grinding? Don't get me wrong…I know first hand you have the right moves, Boom Boom, and your six-pack is state of the art…your friends will be shocked when they see what lies beneath your shirt for the first time. I remember that delightful shock very well. I'm just having a hard time visualizing you taking Boom Boom's moves public."
With a wink she replied, "I'm thinking of it as a nice way to debut my bigger boobs." Then she sighed. "And a promise is a promise so I can't back out. Besides, I'm happy Carrie is getting more comfortable with her sexuality."
"Probably not as happy as Nick."
And as her husband laughed Sara thought, I wonder if Carrie stuck to her guns, strapped on her spurs, and demanded time in the saddle tonight?
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
2:17 a.m.
When Carrie emerged from the bathroom wearing a dusky-pink sheer-silk chemise with fitted bodice and delicate ruffles at the straps and hem, Nick's eyes fired up. "And here I was certain you'd come out of there wearing pants," He teased from his position lounging on their bed watching Sportscenter. Clad only in a fresh pair of hunter-green boxers, he patted the mattress and then switched the TV to their favorite nighttime music channel. "Damn you look gorgeous." He carelessly tossed the remote. "And I'm half-sober now so you know I'm not seeing things through beer-goggles."
As customary, she flicked off the lights so that only the four strategically-placed fragrant candles she had lit before entering the bathroom illuminated the room. "I thought you'd like it, Slick Nick."
"Thanks for reminding me I have to kill Carlos for using that name in front of you." Rolling on his back he stared at the ceiling. "As if you didn't have enough ammunition against me."
"I'll use it the next time we play Bad Boy, Good Girl." Seeing him lying on his back she recognized her golden opportunity. In a flash she was sliding over Nick's body and when her face met up with his, she surprised him with a slow, drugging kiss. Much to her relief, she instantly felt his body react, so she was certain the excess tequila he consumed was not going to hinder her efforts. Upon breaking the kiss she whispered, "I had a great time tonight, Nicky."
"Me too." Running his fingers through her wavy chestnut hair he studied her dark brown eyes. "And I know you probably won't believe me, but my favorite part of the night wasn't our time in the pool house."
"Really?" She remarked in surprise. "What was your favorite part?"
"Watching you kick Grissom's ass at poker." With that he flipped her onto her back and captured her lips in a vigorous kiss.
"Hey!" She exclaimed in a giggle. "How did I end up on my back so fast?" Thirty seconds in the saddle was hardly enough time.
"It's a Slick Nick trade secret," He joked while nibbling on her ear lobe. "By the way, I was kidding about your poker win being the best part…although it's definitely top five along with the pool house. My hands down favorite part of the night was hearing Carlos tell the rookie that you couldn't be a hooker because you were wearing pants. Oh man…your reaction…I swear I've never laughed that hard in my life. And in that moment when you were out there twisting in the wind with that dumbfounded expression on your face I loved you more than I ever thought possible. You were grade-A adorable."
"I guess I'll have to make an effort to humiliate myself more in order to keep our love alive and growing."
Pressing her hands against his chest she pushed him off her and sat up.
Surprised by her physicality he asked in a concerned tone, "Sorry, are you mad about what I said?"
"Not at all." She pounced once more, covering his body with hers and seizing his lips.
Twenty seconds later Carrie was staring at the ceiling. "Nicky..."
"Mmm?" He replied while canvassing her cleavage with velvety kisses.
"Can you turn up the volume on the music a little?"
Reluctantly he lifted his lips off Carrie's chest and rolled on his back. Propped up on his elbows he scanned the area for the remote. "Now where did I toss that…" His words were interrupted by his fiancée's demanding kiss and he figured she must have changed her mind about the music volume. Oh well, it was a woman's prerogative he mused while slipping his hands over the sensual silk of her nightie.
Ten seconds later, when her back hit the mattress, Carrie unwittingly heaved a labored sigh.
"Somethin' wrong?" Nick inquired after releasing her earlobe from his teeth.
In a sweet yet frustrated tone she admitted, "I keep losing the wrestling match, Honey."
"Huh?" He wasn't tracking.
"I uh…" Pressing her open palm on his chest she softly said, "Could you um…I'd like to talk, so would you lie next to me instead of…"
"Sure." He immediately did as asked and with concern mounting in his voice prodded, "Tell me what's going on, because clearly something's on your mind."
"Remember when we were having our little disagreement earlier in the week and you told me what you really want to do is say what's on my mind when it comes to our relationship…or more specifically our um…sex life?"
"Yeah." Was it about the pool house, he wondered? Now that she was back in her comfort zone was she reflecting and thinking it was too much?
Rolling onto her back, Carried chewed on her bottom lip while trying to think of the right phrasing. "There's something's on my mind and it's kind of difficult…I have a feeling you will…"
"Baby, just say it." Gently, he ran his palm over the rosy silk covering her torso. "Whatever your concern is, don't worry, we can work through it. Just fling it out there." Suddenly he wondered if she was upset because he was watching Sportscenter when she returned to the bedroom. He thought, maybe I should have been doing something more to set the mood while she was getting ready?
"Okay…" She took a deep breath. "Just fling, huh?" She realized he was fully expecting her to confess some sort of repressive discomfort and it only made it more difficult for her to broach his issue, which she really didn't realize was an issue until just now.
"Please, Carrie, you're killin' me with the suspense." Desperate, he attempted to figure out what he could have possibly done since she joined him in bed to cause the tension on her face and the concern in her voice. Maybe I was teasing and being playful when she was hoping for some big time romance? Yeah, because that nightie is romantic-looking and it's new. Shit…I should have figured that out right away. If she wanted to be playful she would have come out here in one of her cute pairs of boy shorts and a tank top. Nice going, Stokes.
"Here goes…um…I've noticed that you're always on top…every time." For a moment she winced from the sound of the brutal honesty coming from her mouth in regards to his sexual performance, but then she recovered. "Thirty seconds max is all I ever get, Nicky."
"I'm always on…" Staring at her he realized her concern wasn't about herself, Sportscenter or missing a mood cue, it was about his…technique. Sportscenter would have been a hell of a lot easier to stomach.
Now that it was out there in the open, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Finally able to look at him, she caught his eyes. "I just think it's something I might enjoy but, how will I ever find out if every time I start out there you tackle me and take over?"
"I do what?" Cocking his head he gaped at her and her accusation.
"Honey, you just did it right now, three times in a row." Trying to soften her voice she said, "Remember…I even asked you how I got on my back so fast?"
"Yeah…" Stunned, he rolled onto his back. "Uh…sorry but, this is so out of left field because I just asked you Wednesday night if there was something I wasn't giving you. You didn't say this was a problem. You said there were no problems."
"It hasn't been!" She assured him, instantly cognizant he was taking the news hard. "It's something I just started thinking about tonight, because I feel so comfortable with you. That's what the pool house was about tonight, right? I never would have thought I could be that free if you asked me a month ago. It's like a switch was flipped and now I'm ready to branch out a little more. I swear I'm not going back on what I said in the hotel about being happy with our…"
"Damn, I'm…yeah, okay…here's some of that vulnerability you said I need to show more often." While rushing his hand through his hair, he cleared his throat. "How can you say you're not going back on what we talked about at the hotel, when you're asking me for one of the two things I said I can't handle? I only gave you two things, Carrie. Come on."
"What? No." Propping up on her elbow she tried to see his eyes, but he had them fixed on the wall. "It's not about aggression. Look at what I'm wearing. I didn't come out here in leather, Nick. I don't want to be on top so I can dominate you or make you feel uncomfortable." Now she realized the issue was much bigger than she initially believed. Getting no response she said, "Nicky…when you thought I was going to confess something about myself, you told me not to worry because we could work through it. So don't shut me out here. Let's do what you suggested, work through it. We're getting married, we need to be able to deal with anything thrown our way." Cuddling up next to him, she gently laid her arm across his chest, deciding to give him a few minutes to think.
"I wasn't doing it on purpose," He finally commented in a distant tone. "I didn't even know I was doing it until you pointed it out. I mean, I knew I was always on top but I didn't really think about why or that I was disappointing anyone." Anxiety spurting through him he wanted to bolt from the room, but he forced himself to stay and keep talking because if the roles were reversed he would feel awful if she rushed out instead of trusting him. "Thinking about it…damn, this is hard…with other women I did things I don't do with you, but this one thing in particular, I've never let happen with anyone. So I'm not trying to control you specifically if that's what you think."
"That's not what I think at all, Nicky." Thrilled to have him talking again she snuggled closer. "I know that's not the reason."
"Hell…I guess I never let anyone else stick around long enough to get frustrated enough to point this out to me." Which made him wonder how many others thought it but didn't verbalize it. "Maybe I didn't want them to stick around because…because they would tell me what I didn't want to hear." Covering his face with his hands he released a deep breath into them and when he moved them, he groaned. "There's something to it I suppose. I gotta tell you though, I really hate this suppressed emotional baggage crap. I'd much rather just move on."
"I know you would, Honey."
His voice turned chilly. "But I can't move on this time because, if I do, that means I have to deny you something and...damn it…I really hate this feeling, Carrie. This is why I never liked…" He cut himself off from saying the rest of his thought…never liked being in a real relationship. "Every god damn time this comes up it makes me feel ridiculous, because come on, how many years ago are we talkin' here? I just turned thirty-five for Christ's sake. I can't believe something so long ago is showin' up here tonight. Seriously, why can't I just move on already? And now to wonder how many women were thinking I was dysfunctional because I controlled everything?"
"Not dealing with this is exactly why you still have a problem, Nicky. You didn't even say it out loud until a few years ago, that should tell you something." Lifting her head, she was finally able to catch his eye. "Moving on without dealing is what you've been doing your whole life, isn't it? Isn't there perhaps a little more to your old love 'em and leave 'em reputation than meets the eye? There has to be, because it doesn't jive with the rest of your upstanding personality. It's out of character."
Much to his surprise, he managed a tremulous smile. "My mother used to say the same thing to me all the time. She even brought it up when I was telling her I was going to propose to you that night in Dallas. Yeah…" He said her words in her disappointed tone. "You're so responsible in every way, Nick, that's why I've never understood your dealings with women. She said it a lot of ways over the years and some weren't very ladylike if you catch my drift."
"Your mom and I have something in common…we both love you and know what makes you tick." Tenderly she kissed his cheek, "But she doesn't have the last piece of the puzzle like I do."
After a choppy breath he confessed, "I meant what I said at the hotel. I can't feel powerless in bed, it doesn't work for me…and I really mean it doesn't work."
"You know I understand exactly how it feels to be powerless and it's the last thing I want for you…that's why I'm trying so hard to help you out here, now that I really understand what's going on." A supportive smile rose on her lips. "Considering the vast number of sexual encounters you have under your belt compared to me, I know this sounds crazy but…when it comes to feeling powerful in bed, you have to believe me when I say…I know the answer and you don't." Reaching out, she stroked his cheek and used a play on the words she uttered earlier in the pool house. "Do you want me to bestow a little knowledge on you, Stokes?"
"Yes." His eyes remained glued to her steady gaze.
"Feeling powerful isn't about controlling the situation, because when you're controlling something you always have to be concerned you'll lose control and consequently lose your power. I know because I do it every day in almost every aspect of my life. Don't you feel that way when you're working overtime trying to control the world around you?"
"Yeah, but I'm always doing that, so I don't find it abnormal. What feels abnormal is not being in control. Hell, Greg was just bustin' my chops about me being such a control freak. It's no secret." Reaching out, he took her hand. "I'm sorry, I'm still not seeing a solution here."
Every word blanketed with tenderness she whispered, "The only way to feel truly powerful in bed, is to know with absolutely certainty you'll never find yourself powerless. Nicky, you get your power from trusting the person you're with and knowing they'd never, ever do anything to hurt you. It comes from knowing you can say stop at any time and the other person will always listen. That's why I never feel powerless with you. This knowledge I'm bestowing on you…I learned it from being with you. I've only had it a few short months and tonight it finally clicked in gear with my body. But you're not letting yourself feel the same way and I guarantee you, you're missing out."
In the security of his fiancée's arms, he oozed some of that vulnerability she loved so much. "Tell me how."
Carrie gently brushed her lips over his. "All you have to do is what I did that first time we were together, Nick. Test your power." After slowly sliding on top of him, she intensified her kiss.
Closing his eyes he wanted to believe her, but all he felt at the moment was desperately out of place and out of control. Kisses and touches that would normally rouse him were ineffective and although it seemed implausible that one position could be responsible for so much havoc, it was.
Underneath her she could feel the tension in his body rising. "Come on, Nick…test it," She murmured as she skimmed her hands over the sides of his body to reach down and grab his wrists. When she had his hands, she pressed them deep into the pillows while lingering kisses on his neck. As the minutes passed she could feel his discomfort growing which was exactly what she was hoping would happen and to force the issue she tightened her grip and deepened her kiss.
"Stop," He finally requested on a jagged exhale and then inhaling sharply he waited to see if she would retreat. He hated everything he was feeling and desperately craved a return to the norm.
His command was music to her ears and upon hearing it, she slipped away without hesitation. Coming to rest on her back, she placed her hands above her head on the pillows and invited him with a blissful sigh followed by a smile. As she predicted, Nick mirrored her actions, covering her body with his and clamping his hands around her wrists. In a flash he was back.
Back in control, Nick finally felt his body ignite and after glimpsing the serenity in Carrie's eyes, he consumed her mouth with a demanding kiss. Everything made sense again. Tightening his hold on Carrie's wrists he began massaging her body with his while enjoying the ramping intensity between them. It was perfect, the way it always felt.
"Stop," She directed in a breathless murmur minutes later, clearly catching him by surprise.
Never expecting her to exercise the same option, it startled him. Then he realized what she was doing…demonstrating her point, in an effort to make him get it. And it worked. Suddenly he realized things hadn't been mutual between them …not regarding who was on top more often…but about trust.
In silence they stared at one another, the only sounds the soft music in the background and their pounding hearts. Thirty seconds later, Nick rolled onto his back letting hands rest above his head.
Never moving her eyes from his, Carrie straddled his hips. In her coveted position, she felt a surge of excitement. Unlike before, she didn't feel a decline in his arousal and the knowledge that he wasn't turned off sent her lips curving into a beautiful smile. With her fiancé's attention clearly focused on her body she gathered the silk hem of her chemise in her hands and pulled it up and over her head, letting the shed garment billow to floor. Everything about the move felt empowering.
Visually overwhelmed by his fiancée's curvaceous figure illuminated by the candlelight, Nick whispered, "You look amazing," in between labored breaths. Watching her there looming above him excited and unnerved him.
"I've never loved you more, Nicky. Here…take my hands." Holding hers out she waited for him to take her offer, and when he did, she coaxed him up. Once there she delighted in the feel of his strong arms wrapping around her eager body and she encouraged the passion building between them with a tantalizing kiss.
Sitting in the middle of the bed twined together they eventually paused to exchange brilliant smiles. "Feel the difference?" She queried in a deep whisper. "Are you in control?"
His hand resting on her cheek he answered without hesitation, "Yes."
"Enough that I can take the lead?"
Resting his forehead to hers he released his words and surrendered control. "Wherever you want to go."
She chose to take him to familiar ground, twisting around to fall back against the sheets and letting him land in his preferred spot on top. Kiss after kiss their desire grew until Carrie suddenly angled her hungry body, signaling she was ready for a change. Much to her delight, he took the cue and with her hands firmly planted on Nick's shoulders she clung to him for the 180 degree tumble.
He found her bold move so intense it flared his desire to an extreme. "Carrie…"
His strong reaction to her moves furthered her confidence.
Still struggling with the loss of control, Nick embraced Carrie …encouraging her to do what he would have already done. Straining to meet her mouth, he kissed her, pleading with hislips to join their bodies. When she didn't engage it drove home the point that timing, like everything else right now, was out of his hands. That is, unless he said the one word that would make it all cease, but ceasing the activity was suddenly the furthest thing from his mind.
Experiencing a heightened level of sexuality, Carrie savored the heat she was kindling, not wanting it to end too soon, but barely able to delay the next bold move. It felt so different being in the lead. Now Nick, not she, would be caught off guard by the delicious moment of impact, and she couldn't wait to see the elation on his face.
"Baby, please…" He begged in a show of sweet agony he never experienced before that night.
His vulnerable plea was all it took for her to decide it was time and in one deft shift of the hips she ended their wait. Just as she expected, his surprised reaction sent her reeling. "Any time, Nick…you just say that word." It was a loving reminder to him before she unleashed years of pent up desire and treaded close to the line he asked her not to cross…a line she wondered if he still had.
From the second they united, the pleasure was pure and explosive and every moment following was more of the same. Consumed by the feel of the new position, Nick found himself struggling not to peak too soon.
Knowing he was too close, Carrie slowed down and crashed against Nick's body. "Does it feel…"
"Incredible." Backing his statement with a series of groans and gasps, he gripped her tighter and embraced the unfamiliar. "Don't stop," He pleaded, because teetering on the edge of control, what he had feared most only a short time ago, suddenly fit his mood like a glove.
Powered by his command, Carrie felt the last of her inhibition melt away. Without question she knew she was giving her man something he never had before and the knowledge exhilarated her to a level of arousal previously beyond her grasp.
If asked, they wouldn't be able to say how long the thrill lasted, because they rapidly lost track of time. They lost track of everything except the intensity surging between them…the very intensity that eventually thrust them into a deeper oblivion than ever before. In the end, when Carrie finally collapsed exhausted against her fiancé's heaving chest, she summed up her feelings in a smile brilliant enough to brighten the dimly lit room. What her fiancé had given her a few months ago, she just gave back to him, and in that exchange she knew their souls were bound together forever. Their upcoming wedding would only be a joyous occasion to celebrate the bond they cemented tonight.
Trapped under the weight of Carrie's tired and heated body, with his wrists still locked against the pillows, Nick never felt more in control in bed. Although he couldn't comprehend at the moment why surrendering the lead to his future wife felt so empowering, not to mention incredibly stimulating, he knew one thing with perfect clarity…he couldn't wait to do it again. And his euphoria extended beyond the moment and the pleasure still surging through his body. Finally he had an answer to the question he asked himself so many times over the years… When will the score finally be settled? What will it take? It took the love and patience of a brave compassionate woman to restore the power that a cowardly sociopathic woman once took away. It was over.
When she finally was ready to give up her position, Carrie slipped away grinning. "Is it okay if we don't talk about this right now? Because I'm not sure words could do it justice and I want to enjoy this feeling."
"Hell, I'm flattered you think I could manage a coherent thought after something that mind blowing." Leaning over, he grinned uncontrollably and used a play on her words, "Thank you for bestowing a little knowledge on me, Blake. Without a doubt it was the most intense experience I've ever had and you are, without question, the most skilled woman I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I love you, Carrie…tonight you gave me back something that's been missing for way too long."
"Um…." After swallowing hard she jittered a little laugh. "If that was you being incoherent then all I have to say is…who the hell needs coherency!"
Thrilled by her expression, he cracked a huge grin. "So tell me…are we going to completely break with tradition tonight and take a bath, or do you want me heat up the shower? You're in the lead, you tell me what to do."
"Bubble bath with snacks, please." She giggled. "I'm starving! I'm so hungry I don't even know what I want to eat."
"That's okay." Hopping out of bed he teased, "I'll make sure to bring you plenty of choices."
The Riveria Hotel and Casino
Late Night Buffet
3:01 a.m.
With so many choices on the buffet, Tawny and Greg had filled several dishes each and now, forty minutes later, their table in the corner of the restaurant was littered in plates of half-eaten food.
Slouching in his chair, Greg heaved a heavy sigh. "Did I ever tell you that I eat when I'm stressed?"
"Uh no, but I figured it out when your mom visited." Smiling she said, "You're lucky you have a hyperactive metabolism." She stopped talking to take a quick sip of her root beer. "So, are you still stressin' about Lady Heather? I am. It was so weird seeing her snap like that. I know it would seem that she would be a bitch all the time because of the leather and her knack with a whip, but seriously…I've talked to her a lot of times at Cardio Strip and when she was trying to get me to work for her. She's always been kind of cool. And what she said about me tonight was totally true. I had no problem going from bum to bum and getting treated like shit without getting paid when I could have been doing the same thing working for her and driving a BMW by now."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't. Not just because it makes me sick thinking of you getting whipped or stung or whatever I'm sure a great number of men would have paid dearly to do to you…" Smiling through his stress he explained, "…but because we wouldn't have met that night at Tweeters."
"I don't believe that." After dotting his lips with a kiss she grinned. "Hopeful romantic that I am, I believe fate brought us together and it would have happened no matter where I worked. You might have met me working a case at The Dominion, and if you did, I'm sure you would have wanted to have tea with me instead of Lady Heather." Shuddering she said, "I'm still having a hard time picturing you as her puppy."
"It wouldn't have been the craziest thing I've ever done," He laughed before realizing she'd now probably want to know exactly what he had done that was crazier.
"Don't worry…I'm not gonna ask."
"Thanks." It was a nice relief after a stressful night and another reason to love her. Feeling sleepy, he was ready to call it a night and go home. Unfortunately he didn't leave soon enough.
"Hey, Sanders!" David Hodges called out from the entrance to the restaurant. "We thought that was you and your…bump and grind girlfriend."
Under his breath Greg moaned, "Please tell me this isn't happening. What the hell did I do to deserve so much shit tonight? Aren't I a nice guy?" It was Hodges and the same two of his friends that confronted him the last time he took Tawny out for a buffet and as luck would have it, they were on their way over. "Freakin' planetary alignment from hell! I'm starting to think bringing you donuts was a really good thing, because every time we eat breakfast food at a restaurant, these assholes show up!"
"Just stay cool, Greg," Tawny ordered. "You can't afford another tick on your personnel file."
"Hey, Hodges," Greg greeted in a cordial tone. "Buffet was great. Why don't you go enjoy it?" His idiot friends were flanking him and they looked drunk and potentially disorderly.
"Break anyone's nose yet tonight, Sanders?" Hodges inquired, still suffering horrible sinus problems from his snapped schnoz. Craig and Denny had egged him on and he had no choice but to come over and give Greg a little shit. They already were calling him a wimp for not getting Greg tossed in jail or paying for his pain and suffering.
Deciding she didn't have to worry about a tick on her personnel file, Tawny stood up and snipped, "We're not in the mood for company, so thanks for stopping by, but move on!"
"Look who's fighting her man's battles?" Craig taunted.
"Tawny don't give them the time of day," Greg casually commented, trying to practice what he learned in Anger Management. "We're done here anyway so let's go." He got up and threw a five dollar bill on the table. But when he started walking, Craig, at 275 pounds and six feet, blocked him. "Oooh I'm scared," Greg mocked. "Get the hell out of my way."
"You gonna make me?"
Rolling his eyes, Greg snapped, "I'm thirty years old, Dude, this isn't high school. Cut the drama. We're in the middle of an International Buffet which happens to be on casino property. That means we're on camera. You touch me or Tawny and you're facing charges. Now move."
Hodges tapped his friend. "Come on, let's go eat. He's not worth your time." He really didn't want to cause any trouble because his file was flagged too. "Let's go, Craig, you're wasted and not thinking straight."
Stuffing his index finger in Greg's chest, Craig threatened, "You may feel safe now but…"
"Stop it!" Tawny kicked the guy in the shin.
"Ow, Bitch!"
Now Greg was ticked, "What did you just call her!"
"Sorry…I meant Ow 'Ho!"
"Greg!" Tawny yelled, "Don't!"
And just when things looked inevitably grim, a familiar voice rang out from across the dining room.
"Greg! Tawny! What are you two doing up this late!"
Greg's eyes tracked the gruff voice and when he saw Irving approaching he breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey, Buddy!" It was nice to have a big friend for a change.
Tawny whipped around and saw her old bouncer friend from her year spent dancing at Rocco's.
Looking down at Craig, Irving said, "You weren't giving my kid sister a hard time, were you? Because I was sitting across the way with my friends and we were thinking it looked like you were giving her shit. Were ya?"
"He called me a bitch and a 'ho, Bro." She quickly joined the charade, one they had invoked on several occasions when customers got out of hand at Rocco's. "And he threatened my boyfriend, Greg."
"That's not good," Irving cracked his knuckles. "What should I do to him, Sis? The usual? Or do you want something special for this loser?"
Having entered the Twilight Zone yet again this evening, Greg wondered exactly who in Vegas Tawny didn't know. Then he worried if she had slept with Irving at some point because that would be squicky.
Hodges grabbed his friend. "Craig was just apologizing for being a drunken asshole. Isn't that right?"
"I'm sorry," He robotically announced as he backed away from the menacing man. "We won't give your sister or her boyfriend any problems in the future."
A second later, Hodges, Craig and Denny scurried away like three unkind mice.
"You two know each other?" Greg asked while Tawny stood on her tip-toes to give Irving a hug.
"Yeah," Irving grinned. "I played her Big Brother nightly at Rocco's when she was eighteen. Damn, Miss Kansas, you look fantastic, which leads me to my next question…what the hell are you doing with this dork!" Tossing his arm around Greg's shoulders he snapped him close and gave him an oxygen-depriving squeeze. "He told me on Saturday that he was expecting a baby with his girlfriend. Now I want to kill him since I realize it's you he got pregnant."
"Please don't," She sweetly pleaded. "I want to keep him."
"Wait here, Sis." Irving took Greg for a stroll past the Mexican buffet. Once out of earshot from Tawny, he began lecturing. "No more gummy bears for you in class, because you're obviously buzzing on the sugar and not paying attention."
Frustrated, Greg explained, "He called Tawny a bitch, what am I supposed to do?"
"Sticks and stones, my friend." Irving sighed. "Guys called her a bitch and a lot worse nightly. She can handle it. People call me lots of things…not to my face…but who the hell cares? Here's a scenario for you. Say the two of you are on the street at night and you let yourself get sucked in by someone who can kick your ass…which is a good percentage of the alpha male population by the way…what happens when you're knocked unconscious? Ever think of that? Now the bastard has access to your woman. He's done raping her in the alley before you even wake up. Use that supposedly fantastic brain Gil says you have. When you can't win a fight, don't get into one."
Holding his now throbbing head, Greg replied, "Hey thanks for putting that 'raped in an alley' nightmare in my already paranoid mind. As if I don't see enough at work to power my nightmares."
"You're welcome." He slapped Greg on the back. "You remember that nightmare every time you want to play hero over something as meaningless as name calling. Next week's Anger Management lecture is on boosting your self-esteem and confidence. I want to see copious notes being taken. Because you've obviously got some residual geek-angst from being stuffed in one too many lockers back in school."
"What was your first clue I had problems in school?"
"Your extremely irritating personality." Irving shook his head. "Now, I know you said you don't have the cash for training but, because you're the upstanding fellow who carelessly impregnated Miss Kansas, one of the sweetest dancers I've ever known, I'm going to make you a deal." Grabbing his wallet he pulled out a business card. "You come to my personal training studio tomorrow afternoon and I'll set you up with a plan you can do on your own. I think you'll get a boost if you feel a little more powerful in your own skin."
Taking the card, Greg nodded. "Thanks, Irving. That's really cool of you. But I'll pay you for the session because I just got a nice deal on rent for the next six months so I've got the cash."
As they walked back to join Tawny, Greg asked, "Why do you call her Miss Kansas?"
"You don't know?" Irving smiled. "Before she ran away she was Miss Cavanaugh County, on her way to the Junior Miss Kansas pageant. Expected to win too. You've got a bona fide beauty queen having your baby, Greg. You must have done something really great in a previous life to deserve that."
Grinning, he retorted, "I'm thinking I must have landed an out of control airplane full of babies, nuns and puppies."
Irving cracked up. "Only if the plane was about to crash into an orphanage."
The Grissoms'
3:21 a.m.
Climbing into bed wearing her comfy grape-ice matching pajama bottoms and tank, Sara told her husband, "What a way to celebrate our new unified work schedules, staying up late and partying."
"Except you really do have to work in less than four hours and I have the day off because my new job doesn't start until Monday." Gil slid over to meet her in the middle. "And you can't have any caffeine."
With her back to him she waited for his arms and legs to spoon her. "Well, you do have your first personal training session with Irving tomorrow. I'm sure that will be ten times worse than working."
"And I can't even soak in the hot tub afterwards."
Grinning, she wistfully commented, "Go for it. I'm sure I won't need to harvest your seed next month."
Slipping his arms around her he let his hand rest on her belly. After kissing her cheek, he sweetly whispered, "Pleasant dreams, Sara."
"Guaranteed."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
3:23 a.m.
Underneath the covers, Nick lay against the sheets with Carrie curled up next to him.
"I'm so tired." On her way to slumber, she whispered, "And we have to get up for church in what…five hours? I think we'll skip."
"Hell no, Darlin'." He pulled her closer. "I actually have something to thank God for after tonight…you. And I want to make if very clear to Him, that I'll do anything to keep you." Kissing the top of her head he closed his eyes. "I can't imagine life without you, Carrie."
"Don't worry, because I'm not going anywhere." Burrowing further into his arms she sighed, "Good night, Nicky."
"Night."
Riveria Hotel and Casino
3:26 a.m.
As they wound their way through the casino floor, Greg realized he left Tawny's car keys on the table after he said he would grab them. "Ugh. Great." Knowing she was tired, he didn't want her to walk back to the restaurant. Reaching for his wallet he pulled out a twenty and instructed, "Here, play some slots and I'll be back in a few."
"But you know I don't like gambling," Tawny remarked. "It's a waste of hard-earned cash."
"It's my cash from my mom's check so I didn't earn it, neither did she since she inherited all her money from her dad, and it's not really gambling when you know the house always wins. Now you're just donating money while killing time." After a wink he hustled away to retrieve her keys.
Jim Brass's Apartment
3:27 a.m.
Jim sat on the couch watching CNN, rhythmically stroking Heather's hair as she slept with her head resting on his thigh. Tonight was just another reason on a long list of reasons why he shouldn't want her in his life and yet…here she was. Why? The corners of his lips tipped up ever so slightly as Catherine's words echoed in his head…
When two people are each other's lobsters, it means you're perfect partners and by perfect I don't mean physically. It means you get each other when other people don't. You know what makes your partner tick. It means you embrace each other's eccentricities and you can handle imperfections other people wouldn't or couldn't. Two people who balance each other out. Or in Tawny and Greg's case…two people who are SO MANIC they don't think it's odd to be nuts most of the time.
Riveria Hotel and Casino
3:34 a.m.
When Greg approached the area of the casino where he had left Tawny, he heard what could have been her shrieking uncontrollably. "Tawny?" But she was no where in sight. Irving's 'raped in the alley' nightmare still fresh on his mind, Greg felt his heart rate soar. "Tawny!" The night was already so screwed up it only made sense his luck was going from bad to worse. "Damn it! I'm having the worst night!" Gripping his hair he raced up and down the aisles. Did Hodges' friend follow her and grab her, he panicked? Was some jerk hitting on her?
Since it was a Saturday night crowd on a fight night, even though it was almost four a.m. the place was jammed. As he combed the area, he saw a crowd gathered and frantically rushed over, petrified that he'd find her collapsed on the floor losing the baby. "Tawny!"
"GREG!" She shrieked from inside the circle of people.
Thank god she was okay. "Excuse me," He pushed his way through the crowd.
"GREG!" Tawny jumped up and down. "I won!"
"What?" Clutching his chest he began steadying his breathing. "I was scared to death something happened to you and the baby. How much did you win, Sweetie?"
With her index finger she pointed at the flashing progressive jackpot sign. "That much!"
His eyes followed the direction of her finger and when he saw the flashing numbers his heart started pounding again. "$42,617!"
"Can you believe it!" Jumping up and down she gushed like a geyser.
"Are you kidding me! No way! After Uncle Sam shakes you down for thirty percent you'll have about…"
Tawny accessed her mathematical genius. "I'll get to keep $29,832!"
"That's only four thousand less than my pre-tax annual salary!" This trip to The Twilight Zone was most welcome by Greg. "This is crazy! I don't believe it!"
"We can buy furniture and pay my tuition and put aside money for the baby in that account you have set up!" Grabbing his hands she jumped some more. "And the best part is…when we go to California you can show your dad pictures of the furnished townhouse and the bank account statement, and he'll believe you have your act together! I mean you do have your act together, but now you'll have proof!"
And as he stood there listening to the bells indicating that Tawny just won over forty grand, while watching his beauty queen – former cheerleader – nimble dancer - dream girl -future wife - mother of his child – drop dead gorgeous – funny and sweet - hottest lover on the planet, beam with delight because she suddenly had the means to make him look good in front of his dad, he amended his previous past-life theory...
An out of control airplane full of babies, nuns and puppies about to crash into an orphanage situated next to a nuclear power plant, which would explode and set off a chain reaction that would cause the end of the world as we know it.
Greg rejoiced as he lifted Tawny into his arms. "I'm having the best night!"