Feasibility Study
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 82: Losing It – Part 11
August 23, 2005 (Day 123)
Grissom's Tahoe
1:08 a.m.
Holding the sealed envelope in her hands, Sara glanced over at Gil. "Let's just pull over and read the results."
"Not interested." He scolded, "I don't want to find out about our baby on Industrial. I want to find out at home in our bed just like we planned. Stop taunting me."
"Isn't the suspense killing you?" She waved the envelope in the air.
"No, but you are." A smirk crossed his lips. "Okay, let's pull into this parking lot."
"You're bluffing." She glanced out the window. "You don't want to find out if you're a daddy in the parking lot of a porn shop."
"I'll turn down 2nd street. There's a public library there. That's very appropriate for us."
They laughed at the scenario, their symmetrical levels of anticipation…and just to pass the time.
Realizing they still had a ten minute drive, Sara remarked, "We should have bought a house closer to this hospital."
"Speaking of houses." He turned the corner. "My dad left me a voicemail. He signed the contract and opened escrow on the Mobster Mansion today. If all goes well he moves in on September 7th. "
"That's good news."
"I thought it would kill a few seconds if I mentioned it."
"So, you admit you're tense." Sara grinned as she eyed him. "I could tell you about Strip Class to pass the time."
"Then I'll be tense and aroused." Laughing, he turned the next corner. "Was it fun even though…"
"Yes, it was a blast even with Jim's mystery lady there. Tawny is hilarious." Her eyes fell on the envelope again and she pushed herself toward distraction. "Remember when Greg was first dating Tawny and he couldn't stop talking about how great she was in bed? Well, after seeing her moves and her flexibility…let's just say, now I really understand why he couldn't stop talking."
"Does Greg ever stop talking?" He mused.
"I bet their kids will be early talkers…and double jointed. Are there DNA markers for those?" Her laughter slowed. "I'm so glad things worked out for them tonight. I really thought she was losing the baby…babies."
"Twins…" Gil shook his head. "Greg was rattled at the thought of having one. You should have seen him today. We were at this house for the case and the woman had four small children. One of the boys got hurt and she gave her baby girl to Greg to hold so she could help her son. Greg and the baby related as well as water and oil. Seriously, Sara, he's looked more comfortable handling sulfuric acid at the lab than he did that baby."
"Really?" Surprised she explained, "But Greg is such a kid sometimes, I always assumed he'd be a natural."
"Naturally uncomfortable." Then he had to brag. "So I took over for him, and when Mrs. McGuire returned she remarked that I was a natural." He beamed with pride. "She even asked how many children I have because I was so good at soothing the baby."
Frustration gripping her, Sara huffed, "Are you insane! Don't say things like that when I'm already fighting the urge to rip open this envelope and find out if you're going to be a daddy! Distract me! Go back to picking on Greg!"
Obliging his anxious wife Gil told her, "Mrs. McGuire thought the baby didn't like Greg because she was afraid of his hair." When he heard her lighthearted reaction he remarked, "Your turn…distract me."
Sara puckishly announced, "I have something that's guaranteed to consume your thoughts. When Tawny and I were in dance class, we had this little debate, and only you can answer the question for us."
"Okay." He kept his eyes on the road.
"If you happened upon Greg and Nick in bed, wearing granny flannel nightgowns and sucking each other's toes, and you had to pick someone in the room to suck your toes, who would you pick to suck yours?"
In a lost voice he replied, "Sorry, the granny flannel nightgowns are throwing me."
"More than the toe sucking action between the two of them!" She clenched the envelope as her nervous laughter continued.
"Yes." He joined in the laughter, grateful for the ridiculous time-wasting conversation. "I just can't imagine Greg wearing flannel."
"But you can picture him wanting to suck Nick's toes?"
"Not since he got Tawny pregnant."
She laughed harder.
Always one to enjoy a puzzle, Gil prodded, "Is there anyone else in the room from whom I can select? Are they in a hotel? The Paris maybe? Does a French Maid walk in? Yes, I believe she does." He wiggled his brows. "I pick her."
"Nice thinking outside the box."
"Thank you. But I doubt it would work out."
"Because your toes couldn't cheat on me?"
"No, because the French Maid would take one look at Nick and Greg, and the flurry of flannel, and run from the room screaming."
"Five minutes."
He snickered. "However, when the guests in the next room hear the maid's horrific screams they call 911. That's when the hot CSI babe arrives. Her name is Sara."
"Won't work." She laughed harder. "Like the French Maid, I'd be so disturbed by the sight I'd run screaming from the room."
"Ah…" He spoke in a professorial tone. "But I learned that lesson the first time, so I was waiting for you at the door."
"I love your mind."
"And my mind loves you."
Greg's Apartment
1:15 a.m.
After putting her borrowed CSI jumpsuit in the hamper, Tawny pulled on the soft lavender Ralph Lauren terry robe Mrs. Sanders had bought her when they went shopping. Although the last four hours had been exhausting, she was so pumped from the fantastic news she couldn't imagine falling asleep soon.
Incredibly jazzed from the night's surprising turn of events, Greg bounded into the room. "Okay…the bathroom is cleaned up and the tub is filled with hot water and bubbles." When he first saw the blood spatter around the toilet he had no doubt she must have been hysterical earlier. "I'm going to run the trash bag out to the dumpster. Do you need anything from the Mini Mart around the corner?" His smile lit the room. "Ice Cream? Pickles? I'm grabbing a cigar…make that two."
"Look who's in I'm Gonna Be a Daddy overdrive!" Giddy from his excitement, she pecked his cheek. "Thank you. But all I need is a nice soak to get this nasty hospital smell off me." On her way to the bathroom she said, "Hey, you never told me how much the medical bill was." Since she didn't have insurance and Greg's policy didn't provide domestic partner coverage, they were stuck paying it in full.
"I'll wait till you're sitting down in the tub so you don't pass out and hit your head on the sparkling clean toilet." He took her robe as she shook it off her shoulders and then holding her arm he helped her into the steaming water. "Good thing we won all that money at the casino."
Once settled under the blanket of bubbles she sighed. "Just what I needed."
Greg sat on the closed toilet. "The year the Civil War ended."
"Huh?"
"1865…dollars." Unable to be unhappy about even a large unplanned medical expense on such a frabjous night, he quipped, "Definitely the most I ever paid for sex."
Giggling, she had to ask, "Exactly how many times did you pay for sex, Sweetie?"
"I'll be taking out the trash and heading to the Mini Mart." After leaning down to snatch a kiss, he fled the bathroom to the sound of Tawny screaming…I'd pay at least two grand for an hour with you, Loverboy!
Before walking out the door he grabbed his cellphone and the stuffed white trash bag. Once he was outside the door he placed his first call.
"Can't sleep?" Sofia answered. "You know, there are 900 numbers you can call when you need help relaxing."
"I had them blocked by my cellular provider after running up a five thousand dollar bill last year." Chuckling, he headed across the parking lot towards the overflowing dumpster. "An hour ago I was at the ER with Tawny because we thought she was losing the baby. Everything's fine now, but it got the adrenaline pumping."
"Wow…that had to be scary. I'm glad everything is okay."
"Thanks." He tossed the bag. "Hey, before I had to rush out of the lab to go to the ER, I left some stuff for Hodges to process. Paint samples and wood samples from the dollhouse builder. I need to compare them to the report on the paint and wood from the dollhouse, but I can't leave Tawny to come in."
"I'll handle it."
"Thanks, Sofia. Now I'll be able to impress Mr. Stokes with my dependability and responsibility when I have my work complete even after handling a personal crisis all night."
"Hey, why not just kiss his feet while you're at it? I'm sure the Power Junkie would love that."
"No thanks, I've unfortunately been treated to his foot aroma in the locker room. I'll leave that delightful task to his fiancée."
"Oh, I'm sure she's already real good at it. I'm sure you've met her, tell me…is she the most passive woman on the planet? I'd love to meet her and snap her out of whatever spell she's under. Maybe bestow a little feminist sensibility on her."
"I'd pay to watch that!" Baffled, Greg asked, "Hey, why do you like me so much, and loathe Nick?"
"I have very compelling reasons for both, neither of which I'm sharing with you. Good night, Big Daddy!"
When he heard the click, he stared at the phone. "Way to pique my curiosity."
The Grissom's
1:21 a.m.
Sara raced through the front door holding the envelope above her head like a beacon. "Right this way!"
Gil shut the door and tossed his keys on the entry table. "I'll be there in ten," He joked with a straight face. "I need to check in with the office." Suffocated by the weight of her glare he changed his tune. "I meant…coming, Honey!"
Once inside their room, they took a seat on the edge of the bed and a moment to breathe.
"Sara…"
"I know that tone." She stared at the envelope.
He felt obligated to set the stage. "If it's not the result we want…"
"We'll try again." Peeling her eyes off the white rectangle in her hand, she reassured him with a smile. "I'll be disappointed, but not hopeless. Don't worry."
"I love you." Taking her hand he brought it to his lips. "Ready?"
"I can't." Her hands shaking she passed him the envelope. "You open it."
Taking it he said, "I don't want to know before you."
"Open it and slide it out and we'll look at it together." Her stomach knotted. "As quick as you can."
A tense silence encased the room and the only sound was the tear of the envelope's seal.
With two fingers, Gil gingerly removed the folded piece of white paper.
Breathing in shallow gasps, Sara looped her arms around her husband's waist and rested her head on his shoulder to watch him unfold the document.
In unison their eyes focused on the writing.
Choking back a cry, Sara burrowed into Gil's chest.
"Sara…" The page slipped from his fingers as he rushed to embrace her.
"I can't…"
When the paper hit the floor it landed face up, showcasing the words written in black marker across the lab results which indicated a very solid 10 ml hCG…
Congratulations, Gil and Sara
Gil, now you have 2 good reasons to stay healthy!
Best of luck and keep in touch,
Manny
"We're having a baby," She sniffled as she glanced up to catch her husband's eye.
"Even though I was certain it had worked this month…I'm stunned." Swallowing hard he cupped his wife's tear streaked face. "It's really happening."
"Flu sex worked," She joked in a tense reaction to the fear and excitement gripping her.
"Well, it was very hot sex." Her jubilance overwhelmed him while he succumbed to his own.
"Because of my raging fever!" The shock wearing off she yelled, "It's really happening! I can't believe it! We're really going to have a baby!"
"Yes!"
"Suddenly I'm terrified," She confessed in a trembling voice.
"Suddenly I'm calm," He admitted in a confident tone. "Probably because I know I won't be forced to have flu sex again."
"How nostalgic…we're out of sync." One after the other tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm..." She fell silent and let her expression do the talking.
Hypnotized by her tears of joy, Gil whispered, "Thank you for giving me what I never knew I wanted so badly…a life and a family. I love you, Sara." And then he joined her in quiet celebration, holding her tight and closing his eyes.
Greg's Apartment Complex
1:42 a.m.
Walking back from the mini-mart with a bag of snacks to feed his empty stomach, Greg punched in the next number. After four rings he finally heard her groggy voice.
"Is everything okay, Greg? What's wrong?"
"Sorry to wake you, Mom. Can you talk on the sly or did Dad wake up?"
"Wait…"
He knew exactly what she was doing, slipping out of bed and padding into the great room to sit in her favorite chair.
"You know an earthquake doesn't stir your father unless it breaks six point five on the Richter. Are you feeling down again, Sweetheart?"
"Just the opposite." He noticed a couple strolling up the walk and waited for them to pass. "Now don't panic when I tell you the first part."
"Too late. Everyone knows when you say don't panic, it's the first thing the person does."
"Okay then, I'll just spit it out. Tawny had some bleeding earlier tonight BUT it turned out to have nothing to do with the pregnancy and everything's fine. She's fine. I'm fine. We're all fine."
"Oh thank god."
With a glint in his eye he told her the next part. "However, while we were in the ER they did an ultrasound and based on the due date, even taking into account the potential seven day margin of error, I'm without question the father."
"Oh, Greg…I'm so happy for you, Honey." She chuckled sweetly. "You must have been ecstatic when you found out at the hospital."
"Actually, I passed out cold at one point. Hey, do you have a pillow handy to muffle your screams?" He chomped at the bit while he egged her on. "Because there's more baby news."
"There's more?"
"Literally!" He started laughing.
"You don't mean…"
"You can teach them a duet." He wished he could see her face, but knew there was no way he could wait another ten days to tell her. "Twins! Do I know how to have reckless sex and get a girl pregnant or what!"
"You can't be…"
Greg heard the muffled screams. "I knew you'd be psyched!" He shouted into the phone.
When she finally recovered she snapped, "I should be twice as pissed!"
"Yeah, but instead you're twice as pumped." He knew she was grinning from ear to ear. "You're already imagining shopping in twos."
"I'm sitting here in the dark grinning like a fool. Two grandbabies! Now I know I'll need that second home in Vegas." A choppy breath preceded her next words. "I lost two babies, I almost lost you, then I saved you, and now you're having two babies. Maybe this is all pre-destined. Maybe that's why your Grandma Enid was so sure you'd get a stripper pregnant if you moved to Vegas!"
"Mom…you can call the Psychic Hotline and flesh out your theory after you're done talking to me, but right now, I need you to put down your crystals and listen up." Anxious, he said, "I need you to do something for me…reserve a tee time, for the Sunday I'm there. I figure I'll golf with Dad to put him in his happy place, and then I'll take him out for drinks and drop the bomb…bombs now."
"One problem."
"What's that?"
"You don't golf."
"No…I've not golfed with Dad, or in front of dad. But I've golfed on the sly. I took lessons so I could impress this girl in college. I stink, but at least I know what I'm supposed to be doing and know all the terminology."
"Okay then." She sighed. "Just take him away from the club for drinks in case he gets…you know how he gets sometimes. And don't wear asinine clothes on the club's course! And tame your hair that day."
"Got it." He glanced at his watch. "Now there's one other plan I need your help with, something very important. Actually it's not really a plan, but more of a proposal..."
The Blakes
1:51 a.m.
As she sat at the kitchen table surrounded by hefty law books, overstuffed files and her powered up laptop, Carrie couldn't have been more content and relaxed. Not even when it was nearly two a.m. after an exhausting day, and she was hopelessly behind in her work.
Hours previously she had expertly dissolved her man's tension by playing a song from the heart, giving him a therapeutic massage, and then providing support while he oozed some of that vulnerability she loved so much. Then, feeling confident that she had done a phenomenal job, she relaxed against the cotton sheets and reaped the rewards of her efforts…the affection in Nick's deep brown eyes, the charm of his sweeping smile, and the gratitude lacing his thoughtful words. And it only got better from there. In the candlelit guestroom she…savored his tender touch as he roamed her body with his hands, enjoyed his sweet kiss when his lips repeatedly caressed mouth and flesh, and melted from the gentle intensity of his love making, which he delighted with for nearly an hour.
When she brought a fourth homemade chocolate chip cookie to her mouth, she bit it with her grin and then immediately felt guilty for being so happy while working a tragic case. Realizing her milk glass was empty, she stood to fill it. That's when she saw it…an image on the other side of the kitchen window…a guy's face pressed against the glass, leering at her. "NICK!" She screamed as she lunged for the phone on the counter. "NICK!" The guest room was just beyond the kitchen so she knew he would hear.
With her index finger she jammed in the three numbers 9-1-1.
The female operator answered on the second ring. "911 what's your emergency?"
Carrie replied with an answer that would get the quickest response. "I need officer backup for Criminalist Nick Stokes. 1729 Firebird Lane."
Nick flew into the kitchen, shirtless and zipping his jeans. "What's wrong!"
"Out back!" She pointed while reminding herself to breathe. "There was a guy staring at me through the window."
The operator prompted, "Ma'am is Mr. Stokes in pursuit?"
Just then she saw Nick step into his shoes, throw open the back door and rush outside. "Nick!" She raced to the open door. "Wait for backup! You don't have your…dammit!" She slammed the door. "Yes, and he's unarmed."
The house alarm engaged.
"Shit!" Carrie knew the whole house would wake up and the kids would be terrified.
The operator calmly asked, "Can you tell me where Mr. Stokes is now?"
"No!" Carrie yelled as she locked the back door so the perp wouldn't get inside if he had been hiding. Which also meant Nick couldn't get back in. Then she grabbed a knife from Wendy's block and hurried toward the other end of the house. "Mr. Stokes went out the back door of the house and then I don't know in which direction."
"Carrie!" Wendy screamed as she clutched Ashley in her right arm and held McKenna's hand. "What's going on! Why do you have a knife?"
"Mommy, make the bad noise stop!" McKenna shrilled as she covered her ears.
Sean ran out from his room wearing only his boxer shorts and a white t-shirt. "Aunt Carrie, what's wrong!" He saw the knife in her hands. "Where's Nick?"
"There was a guy in the window!" She shouted over the blaring alarm while pressing the cellphone to her ear. "Nick's out there and the cops are on the way. Wendy! Shut down the alarm! Sean, over here with me. Stay in the hall where there aren't any windows."
The operator informed her caller, "Four patrol cars are en route right now. You should be hearing the first one."
"I hear it," She confirmed. "I'm hanging up now." After clicking off the phone she snapped, "Damn it, Wendy! Why wouldn't you let Nick bring his gun in the house! He's out there unarmed!"
After disengaging the alarm by punching in the code on the panel in the hall, she barked, "Because I have four children in this house, and more often than not, guns kill the wrong people! That's why!"
"He's LVPD, he's not reckless! He was here to protect your kids! What, did you think he was going to leave his gun on the coffee table! You bring your kids to our apartment when you need us to watch them, why can they be in the place with a gun there, but not here!"
"Stop fighting!" Sean screamed even though the alarm was off. "You're scaring McKenna!" Clutching his little sister, he soothed, "It's okay. They're not mad at each other."
Warrick's Tahoe
1:59 a.m.
Returning from the field, Sofia and Warrick heard the 443 come over the scanner citing Nick as the officer needing backup.
Before Warrick could instruct her, Sofia had the address in the GPS. "Take the next left."
"Thanks." He stepped on the gas, concerned for his friend, who already had a tense day. "He's supposed to be on twelve hours of mandated rest."
Sensing Warrick ready a release, she joked, "Knowing Stokes, some little old granny was double parked and he called it in. Then she got pissed and smacked him with her cane. He called for backup, because he's afraid of assertive women."
"Appreciated." Warrick almost cracked a smile and then took the left turn as directed. "Especially since I know there's no love flowin' between you and Nicky."
"Yeah well…" She shrugged. "He's still part of the lab so I feel obligated to not want him injured...unless it's by me."
Now Warrick cracked a grin. "He never told me the details, but I didn't know it was that bad."
"Seriously?" Surprise dominated her voice. "I figured you got the whole story with embellishment." She pointed. "Next right."
"Nope…" He shook his head. "He wouldn't talk about it…which was out of character. I figured it was because we all worked together...don't kiss one co-worker and tell another co-worker."
"Interesting." She sat back a little easier. "Suddenly I feel a little more comfortable with our working relationship."
"That's good, because Catherine can't stand working with you, so we'll be spending a lot of quality time together."
The Grissoms'
2:01 a.m.
"Still tense?" Gil whispered while he massaged Sara's bare shoulders as she lay in bed sporting only her tiny gym shorts.
"A bit." Resting on her pillow she mused, "Wow…I'm already loving this I'm Carrying Your Progeny pampering thing."
"Another thirty-seven weeks to go," He whispered as he rubbed in the vanilla-scented oil.
"Lower."
He responded by gliding his hands over her back.
"Lower still…hmm…lower." When he reached the rim of her black shorts she purred, "Those are in the way."
He smirked, "I love your mind."
"And my mind loves you." Releasing a dreamy sigh she remarked, "I have a feeling my body will love you in the near future too."
The Blakes
2:05 a.m.
Once she was convinced there was adequate police protection formed outside, Carrie returned the knife to its place on the block and threw on her gym clothes, which she had worn over.
Now, sitting in the windowless hallway with Wendy, who was cradling Ashley, and Sean who was holding McKenna, only question was on Carrie's mind…is Nick safe? "I'm sorry for screaming at you, Wendy." The apology was in a tiny voice. "I'm just scared about Nicky being out there without his firearm."
"I should have realized that before yelling." She took her sister-in-law's hand. "I'm sorry too. And I'm sure Nick is fine. Remember, he's trained in weaponless defense."
"Yeah…" She kept her eyes on the ceiling. "But it doesn't help much when you're staring down the barrel of a Glock."
Wendy turned to Sean. "There aren't any windows in the bathroom. Take McKenna and read her a story from her stack of books she keeps in there."
"Let's go," He tugged his sister to her feet and led the way.
Once they were alone with just the sleeping baby, Wendy encouraged her panicky sister-in-law. "Come on now! You're never a pessimist, Carrie. You're a survivor. It's not like you to submit to doom and gloom." Then Wendy realized Carrie was trying not to cry. She couldn't remember the last time she saw her shed a tear. "Oh, Honey…"
"I never had anyone to lose before now." Saying it out loud released the tears that had been building. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost him, Wendy. We're soulmates. I can't imagine life without him." With the back of her shaky left hand he brushed away her tears and suddenly her eyes focused on the wet diamond sparkling on her ring finger. "Tonight I played him the song I picked for him at the wedding. The words, they're all true….I found all I've waited for, and I could not ask for more. I finally feel safe."
Shifting Ashley all the way to her right arm, Wendy draped her left around Carrie's shoulders so she could pull her close.
Carrie's voice filled with guilt. "I wish I didn't yell his name. I should have just called 911 and let them handle it. I forgot he didn't have his firearm. And by the time I remembered, there was no stopping him. If anything happens to him…" Trying to imprison her sobs she clamped her lips tight. "…it will be my fault."
In a whisper she gave her permission, "Let it out, Sweetie."
Clinging to Wendy she released the emotion pent up inside her, emotion which extended beyond the current situation.
"There you go." Wendy stroked her hair. "It's tough to be tough all the time. I know…I did it for years. And I know exactly what you're thinking. After feeling so bad for so long, you finally have everything you ever wanted. That's when you panic. Because you start thinking a girl like you won't get to keep it because happiness is something that happens for other people."
Meeting Wendy's gaze, Carrie was grateful she understood. "Exactly."
Suddenly McKenna came running out of the bathroom.
"Sorry!" Sean chased after her. "She got bored."
Staring at her aunt, McKenna asked, "Why is she crying, Mommy? Did Uncle Nicky run away?"
"No, Angel, he just had to go to work, and Aunt Carrie misses him like I miss your Daddy when he's away on business."
Sean thought, which is all the time! "Don't worry, Aunt Carrie. Nick's been getting out of tight spots his whole life, remember? That's how he knows about the knots, remember? This is nothing."
"Thanks, Sean." Carrie forced a smile as she swiped her tears. "You're a good man to have around in a crisis." Patting her lap she waited for McKenna to take a seat.
"How about we talk about wedding plans?" Wendy hoped it would stir Carrie's optimism. "Because we all know you love talking about the wedding."
"Yay!" McKenna clapped. "When can I visit my dress at the store again?"
Carrie found the strength to give a light laugh. "We're going on Saturday, Sweetie. You can visit it then. You're going to look so beautiful walking down the aisle sprinkling pretty peach rose petals."
Wendy looked at her sister-in-law. "I thought you wanted pink flowers because they looked nice with the teal?"
"Oh…Nick and I decided to change the colors tonight." Now a genuine smile exploded on her face. "He decided he didn't like the teal." Wrapping her arms around the little girl she oozed some optimism. "And McKenna, you get to have a crown made out of roses. I can picture it now." Closing her eyes she hugged her tighter. "The day is perfect."
Greg's Apartment
2:10 a.m.
"Perfect," Tawny sighed as Greg secured the ultrasound photo on the fridge with a smiley face magnet he picked up at the Mini Mart when he was on his food run.
That's when his cellphone rang. "It's Mom."
Tawny's lips spread into a smile because he didn't say it's my Mom.
"Did it come through okay?" He had scanned the photo and faxed it. "You're crying so it must have come through. Here…talk to the wonderful woman who is gestating the next generation of Hojem descendants for you. Because I haven't eaten in twelve hours."
Tanwy took the phone. "Hi, Mom. Oh, hang on a sec." Moving the phone she directed, "Greg, I forgot to tell you, there's something on the computer for you."
"Okay." While the women chatted he walked to the computer chomping on his sub sandwich, savoring every carbohydrate in the enormous roll.
Taking a seat, he tapped the mouse and the screen saver was replaced by Microsoft Word, specifically, Tawny's file listing. Immediately something caught his eye. A file titled Hot4Chuckles. He grinned, knowing that must be what she meant for him to find. Curious, he clicked to open it. "Huh?" Staring at what looked to be a copied and pasted online chat conversation he wondered why Tawny had wanted him to read it. "Babe of Bug Stud and Slick Nicks Chick? That has to be Sara and Carrie goofing around with her." He glanced over his shoulder and when he caught Tawny's eye he pointed to the computer.
So engrossed in the phone conversation, Tawny gave a big thumbs up without even looking at what was on the screen.
"Okay." He returned to the open document and began skimming getting a little more surprised as he went along. As he read, words jumped out at him.
"Chuckles is a TALKER! Chats up a storm sometimes. Totally freaked me out 1st time!"
WAIT! I still do that! She's never told me I talk in my sleep! I wonder what I've said? Probably a lot of deep shit about work.
"He was going on about different kinds of cheese & I thought he was talking to me."
CHEESE! Yeah…she must think I'm a total freak.WHY is she making me read this? Let's see what else there is.
When he saw Sara ask about the total number of positions he blurted,"They're talking sex," He whispered. I can't believe they talk about this stuff so openly! HA! This is like the newlywed game. Let's see if my answer matches hers. I'll say 7.
"6 ½ He got a little too excited over #7 and we never quite…um…"
Oh…I guess she's right about that. WAIT! She told Sara and Carrie about the ½! That's embarrassing as hell. Now Carrie and Sara think I don't have control of my piece…which I don't sometimes…obviously, or I wouldn't be having twins. OH GOD, I'M HAVING TWINS! Keep reading…it will take your mind off the reality.
"BofBSand BS are at 27 and counting!"
"27!" Holy Hell! Grissom must be making up for lost time. I bet Nick has that beat by a mile.
"SNC have you hit position #2 yet?"
"Two!" No way! How is that possible! Well…considering what he told me about Carrie's history that really makes a lot of sense actually. He was being very cautious. That's cool…another reason to respect him. Because I know he's used to playin' it. He's been an excellent mentor in that regard.
"I'm LMAO about SNC taking notes from the files of…Chuckles the Master of Tantric Sex. If they only knew…Chuck would be thrilled and SN would die!"
"OH! OH!" Chuck is thrilled alright! No wait…he's STOKED! But don't worry, I won't tell him. I'm more than happy just knowing it myself.
Engrossed in reading, Greg didn't notice Tawny coming up behind him.
Still gushing from her phone call Tawny said, "What's has you so excited? Did that guy offer…HEY! Why are you reading that!" She lunged for the mouse and clicked the document closed. "That's private!"
"You told me to!" Thrilled by his portrayal as a Tantric Sex God, he yanked her on his lap. "Thanks for the props, Baby."
"You had an e-mail from that recruiter guy about the job! That's what I was telling you to read. He wants to fly out here to interview you." Hanging her head she groaned, "That chat was personal. You weren't supposed to see it! I only copied and saved it for my eyes."
"Sorry…there's no way I'm ever forgetting that inside information. But I won't let on I know." Sighing he said, "Too bad I'm not having sex with you for a year, because finding out Gris and Sara are up to number 27 is motivating. Who would have thought those two would be the most adventurous?"
The Grissoms'
2:15 a.m.
"Up for a little adventure?" Sara devilishly whispered as her husband painstakingly roved his lips over her body. "Because these pregnancy hormones have me reeling." Their gentle tumble in between the silky 400 thread count sheets was thus far too demure for her mood.
"I sincerely hope I get thirty-seven more weeks of that sentiment." He grinned, knowing it was unrealistic, and yet enjoying the fantasy. "What do you have in mind?"
With a straight face she stated, "I was hoping we could role play flu sex."
It wasn't the answer he was expecting, "On second thought, I really do need some sleep." It was true, the problem was he was way too wired.
In the middle of their shared laughter Sara demanded, "Take me swimming."
The Blakes
2:18 a.m.
"Carrie, Honey," Nick's voice sang from outside the front door. "Open up, Sweetheart, everything's under control."
"Nick!" Carrie shrieked. "Thank God!"
Wendy was surprised a trail of dust didn't kick up from Carrie darting off so rapidly.
Throwing open the front door she was ecstatic. "What happened!" She thrust herself at him, tossing her arms around his neck and launching a flurry of questions and statements. "What took so long? Why are you covered in scratches! I'm so glad you're okay. I was so worried because you didn't have your gun. I was getting completely irrational." Hugging him tight she sweetly whispered, "I love you, Nicky."
"I love you too, Honey." Feeling her body quake, he took the time to embrace her, not caring how many cops were watching their reunion in the doorway. "Hey now, I'm fine." He smoothed his hands over her back. "You can stop worrying."
Realizing what he said was true she snapped out of her panic. "Damn you! You should have waited for backup!" She scolded as she shoved him away. "That was reckless! You could have been…"
"What the…Hey! I got the guy!" He announced, knowing it would change her tune.
"You caught the bastard!" Her excitement outweighed her anger and she beamed with pride. "Do you think he's the killer from the dollhouse case?"
"No." Taking her hand he brought her outside. "He's Wendy's neighbor's son and he has an alibi. But you'll love this…there's a hidden reason they put their house up for sale. No wonder Wendy said these folks give her the heebies. The kid is a first-class perv at sixteen. He got expelled from school for peeping at girls in the locker room, no charges filed. Not sure how the hell that happened. Tonight he was treating himself to watching you look sexy in my t-shirt while he whacked off. Shit, if he was eighteen instead of…" He pushed the though out of his mind. "The bastard was hiding in some bushes in the city park on Madison. His fly was still down. It wasn't hard to find him because he sliced open his arm on Wendy's fence and left a nice spatter trail. Luckily, Sean had his bug flashlight outside on the patio table for me to grab."
Glancing around, she saw a teenager in handcuffs standing in front of one of the two patrol cars.
"Hey Carrie," Warrick greeted her with a smile as he stood on the sidewalk next to his kit. "Helluva a day, huh?"
"Hi, Warrick. Yeah." Glancing over at the blonde next to him she said, "Sorry, we haven't met."
"Sofia Curtis," She extended her hand. "You must be Nick's fiancée, Carrie. I've been looking forward to meeting you." Just as she suspected she was a petite waif and from the looks of things she had been crying over this trauma. No doubt Little Miss Carrie was as sweet and passive as she imagined.
Nick watched the ladies shake hands. Happy that Carrie would finally learn first hand how irritating Sofia was all the time.
"Sorry…excuse me." Carrie marched in the direction of the teen in custody. "What's his name?" She asked the cop standing beside him.
"Tyler."
The boy's father stepped closer. "I'm his father, Reggie, and my boy is innocent until proven guilty."
And she was verbally off and running. "Well, Reggie, I'd start making phone calls to find the best defense lawyer you can afford, because your pervert son will need it. He cut himself in my brother's yard, which means he left DNA evidence…that's proof enough he was trespassing. He may have even left traces of another fluid. I'm sure once the yard is processed we'll also find his sneaker prints in the flower bed beneath the kitchen window too."
Tyler rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"Whatever? Whatever!" Carrie raged. "You think this is a joke? You've been expelled from school and already have a history peeping. Peeping is just something to pass the time while working up the courage to aim higher. And you know how I know you're on your way to bigger and more deviant things? Because you're standing there in front of your victim, in handcuffs and showing ZERO remorse." Folding her arms across her chest she calmly informed the wayward boy, "You peeped at the wrong girl, Tyler. I'm with the DA's office and sex crimes are my specialty because I've been dealing with them since the age of nine. Catching offenders before they get to touch anyone is a real rush for me, thanks for the high. You're going to court and I guarantee you you're going to Juvy Jail. You can laugh all the way there if you like. And while you're there, I'll be pulling for you to be rehabilitated so I don't ever see your name on a charge again."
On the sidelines Nick watched his woman tear it up.
Warrick popped him in the bare shoulder. "Wipe the drool, Man."
"When she snaps into a litigious pit-bull…" He grinned. "It turns me on somethin' fierce."
"A litigious pit-bull…you mean, like your mommy?" Warrick taunted, "Carrie may be a pit-bull, but you're one sick pup. I may have to start calling you Squicky instead of Nicky."
Ignoring the buddy banter, Sofia focused on Carrie, absolutely stunned that the woman had backbone to spare.
Once the cops took Tyler away, his dad attempted to make a plea. "Look…we're moving to Atlanta for a fresh start. So can we just make some kind of alternative arrangement to you pressing charges? Name your price."
Officer Carlos Borrega and his rookie Billy were remaining on the scene for the CSIs. "She's in spitfire mode again, huh, Slick? She was just like this Saturday night when Billy had her step out of the car thinking she was a prostitute."
Warrick glanced over.
Nick laughed, "Don't ask, Man."
The five of them stood a few yards away listening to the discourse.
"Name my price?" Carrie's jaw dropped. "Your middle name wouldn't be Enabler by any chance? Your son doesn't need another free pass. He needs a serious psych eval, some jail time and quality rehab."
Reggie rolled his eyes. "For Christ's sake my kid only watched you through a window while you were wearing a t-shirt. It's what boys do."
"I beg to differ. Your son trespassed with the intent to violate my privacy and commit a sex crime, which ended up disturbing my peace of mind. You really need to take a deep breath and understand the gravity of the situation, Mr. Gleason."
"Look lady!" Reggie pointed his finger in her face only an inch away from her shoulder. "I don't know what kind of irrational femi-nazi you are but…"
Assertively she urged, "Move your finger out of my personal space now."
He didn't.
Nick started getting antsy. "Carrie…"
Not intimidated by the man, she coolly replied, "Very well, we're done talking. I'll see you in court, where maybe you'll start to take me seriously."
Fed up with the drama and feeling loose from drinking a half bottle of Gin earlier, Reggie barked, "Listen, Bitch!" He jammed his finger in Carrie's shoulder. "I've had enough of…"
In a blur Nick tackled the man to the ground and nailed him with a hook to the jaw.
"Should have seen that coming." Carrie ordered Carlos, "Can you pull Nick off him!"
Carlos slowly strolled over playingdumb. "I want to be sure I understand what you're asking." He figured he would let his buddy get in a few more punches. "You want me to pull Nick off the foul mouth ass who raised his kid to disrespect women and potentially rape one in the future? Is that what you want me to do…right now?"
Pissed she screamed, "Yes, NOW!"
Billy, a rookie who had never witnessed an intentional courtesy delay, looked on confused.
While Sofia glanced the other way, Warrick took charge. "Nicky, enough!" Reaching down he grabbed him. "Enough, Man!" With Carlos' help he pulled Nick to his feet.
Carrie shouted at Officer Borrega, "I'm with the DA's office. Don't you ever pull that shit in front of me! Now I'll have to recuse myself on any case you're on because I won't know if you're telling the truth about a defendant's injuries or lying on the stand." Then she saw the boy's groggy father bleeding from the nose and mouth. "Great…just great. Now I can't press assault charges against him without dragging you in, Nick."
"I'm still taking him in for Disturbing the Peace." Carlos instructed his rookie, "Get the breathalyzer, Billy. I'm thinking Drunk and Disorderly is a possibility too. I know complete lack of Common Sense is a given, but that's not against the law yet unfortunately." Handcuffing the loser he said, "See if you weren't drinking you wouldn't have fallen down and hurt your face, Pal."
Warrick reminded Borrega, "I need someone to replace you on the scene. Don't leave until they show."
Carting off the bloody dad in denial who suddenly had nothing to say, Carlos replied, "I'll call for backup after getting this asswipe secured in the back."
As he shook out his right fist and walked towards his fiancée, Nick knew he was in deep shit. "Honey, he called you a bitch and shoved you!"
"Yes! I was there!" She was livid. "And I had an assault charge and an easy conviction!"
Playing the best hand he could muster,Nick walked over and quietly said, "I was just doing what your dad asked me to do…defend you. I heard him call you a bitch and saw him touch you…it clicked in my head. It was instinct." He looked to Warrick for backup. "Come on, 'Rick, help me out here. How many times have you pummeled someone when they insulted your woman?"
"Lifetime? A dozen maybe?" He smirked. "Cut him some slack, Carrie, he's had a tough day. And since it's over, what's the point of dwelling on it?"
Nick silently thanked his pal for his assistance. Then Sofia opened her mouth and blew the ground he had just made up.
"The point is…she was doing fine on her own, there were two armed officers standing four feet away to arrest the guy, and everything would have been handled legally. I'm a Quality Control Officer at the lab, remember? I'm not supposed to look the other way." Sofia shot both CSI Supervisors looks. "I should report both of you." Catching the look on Carrie's face she sighed, "But I won't. Don't ask me my motivation. Don't discuss it. Don't thank me. Just take it and leave it." With that she picked up her kit. "I'll check the yard for those shoe prints."
Warrick caught Nick's eye. "Well, you got one woman to go easy on you, and it's not the one I was expecting." He grabbed his camera and kit from its place on the ground. "I'll leave the two of you lovebirds to work things out."
Tapping her foot on the ground she snipped, "Your mother would agree with me."
"Aww come on…don't bring my mom into this." He pleaded with his smile.
"You brought my dad into it!" Carrie stormed towards the house. "You know what I'm really pissed about, Nicky?"
From the tone of her voice and the Y on the end of his name, he knew he was in the clear. "What's that, Sweetheart?"
"I worked really hard to relax you tonight and now this happens."
"Well, the only thing making me tense right now is, not knowing how much trouble I'm in with you." He summoned his best Come On…You Know You Love Me grin. "If you remove that tension, then I'm relaxed and all your hard work doesn't go to waste."
She rolled her eyes. "Smoooooth, Stokes. If you think you're gonna play me that easily you…"
After grabbing her hand, he yanked her to his body, surprising her with an amorous kiss.
As the backup car arrived and their patrol car pulled away, Billy the rookie cop, watched Nick Stokes receive an overabundance of affection from his fiancée. "Since she's playing tonsil hockey on the front lawn, I guess she's over being ticked at him."
"Don't forget what you saw here, Young Man," Carlos laughed. "Your rookie lesson for tonight…chivalry ain't dead, and it gets you laid."
Still a little thrown by everything, Billy looked at his mentor. "Yeah…I learned that, and a few other things."
Lady Heather's Dominion
2:43 a.m.
Two hours earlier, after being unable to sleep or reach Heather on the phone, Jim Brass did something he swore he'd never do…show up at the Dominion on personal business. He felt compelled after walking away from her and because he needed her.
Two hours later, as he lay in bed, he was thrilled that he did.
They hadn't made love. Heather was fully draped in her Dominatrix attire and he had only removed his shoes and dress shirt, to lie comfortably in his white crew neck tee.
It was the talking that stimulated his senses. An intense discussion about his past…his mistakes and regrets. How mistakes repeat themselves and how frustrating it feels when you look back and realize you wish you could have done things differently.
She was a fantastic listener while he tossed random thoughts like…why would a guy whose own marriage failed due to lies, think it's a good idea for his best friend to lie to his wife?
And while the conversation started out about Grissom and Sara, it eventually morphed into one about Ellie.
It was all good.
Until frantic screams from the hall disturbed the intense conversation.
The Grissoms'
2:45 a.m.
Sitting on the third pool step with Sara still on his lap, Gil teased, "You didn't tell me we were having a race."
"I don't know what came over me," She replied while disengaging and floating away on her back. "Nice work trying to de-stress me."
"My pleasure."
"Mmm." In the moonlight she treaded water.
Walking over, he joined her in the center of the pool, the cool water lapping against his heated body. You're in shock about the baby aren't you?"
"Absolutely," She admitted. "All that talk and now that it's happened and there's a whole new crop of things to obsess about and learn." She chuckled sweetly. "I think I'll need more than cooking lessons from Wendy."
The Blakes
2:47 a.m.
Soothing her nerves in her kitchen, Wendy grabbed the coffee pot and filled the four mugs on the counter.
Luckily Ashley and McKenna fell asleep without a problem and Sean was in her room watching them while reading.
At the table, Carrie was finishing up her statement to Officer Zamora and Sofia.
"Here you go," She handed a steaming mug to each of her LVPD guests. "Are you hungry? I can fix you something?"
"No thanks, ma'am," The burly officer replied. "I'm on a diet and I need to walk to the car and phone some of this in." Raising the mug he said, "Don't worry, I'll bring this back."
Sofia, who had been eyeing the plate of chocolate chip cookies on the counter, said, "I'd love one of those."
"Take as many as you'd like." Wendy brought over the plate and set them on the table. "I bake when I'm tense so I'm about to turn on the oven and make another batch."
Nick returned through the back door and when the three women saw him grinning wildly they stared waiting for an explanation.
"Get this…" He took the mug Wendy was extending. "Warrick's over there processing the pervert's room and he tells me that he and Cath got a call today from the seller of the home they were buying, begging to break the contract a week before close. Nice, huh? They agreed to break the deal when the seller offered them five grand. Anyway, Warrick's in love with the pervert's house and is calling Cath out to look at it. I'm guessin' after tonight the Gleasons will be eager to take what they can get. I came back for that realtor's card…and a shirt. I left both in the guest room. I bet 'ol Dan Connors will forgive me for my so-called Totalitarianism if he sells the house tomorrow." Bringing the mug to his smile he took off down the hall.
Carrie looked at her sister-in-law. "Oh my god! Sean will flip out if Lindsay moves in next door."
Wendy cringed as she laughed. "I'm more concerned about Ryan climbing up in the treehouse to peep at her. How embarrassing would that be after all this?"
Nick quickly returned with his blue t-shirt on and the realtor's card in his hand. "Did you get a clean shoe print, Sofia?" He took a sip of coffee while he waited for the answer.
"Two."
Lowering the mug he followed up, "Photos first?"
Swallowing her last bite of cookie Sofia sarcastically snipped, "Gee, Nick…was I supposed to take pictures at the crime scene? And tell me again…why does everyone at work keep putting on latex gloves?"
Carrie choked on her coffee. She had been trying desperately to find something wrong with Sofia so she could empathize with Nick, but hadn't any luck. This latest exchange didn't help. "I think she's insinuating you're a control freak, Honey. Where would she get that crazy idea?"
While her sister in law was busy grabbing a cookie, Wendy didn't miss the intriguingly spiteful look exchanged between Nick and Sofia.
Thanks for the coffee, Wendy," He announced in as he set his coffee mug on the table "I've got to get back to Warrick,"
"Yeah…" Sofia guffawed, "Because I'm sure he's pacing the halls waiting for you to tell him what to do next."
"Take real tiny bites of that cookie, Sofia…" He suggested as he headed for the door. Once there he paused to smile. "…because I wouldn't want you to choke." Catching Carrie's surprised expression he followed up with a wink and a lie. "Just kidding about the choking."
Lady Heather's Dominion
2:52 a.m.
"He's choking!" Amber screamed as she watched her male client, who was wearing only a pink tutu, black knee-hi socks and a dog collar, flailing around on the floor. "But he wasn't eating anything! One minute he was twirling around on his toes and then he started shaking and fell to the floor."
Brass rushed over. "He's having a seizure. The most important thing is to make sure he doesn't injure himself during the process. Heather, find me a pillow." As he took removed the collar from around the man's neck, he didn't notice a medic-alert bracelet. "Where's his wallet, see if he has a medical card in there."
Mirella, one of Heather's best submissives, returned to the doorway with the phone pressed to her ear. "EMTs are pulling into the driveway."
Heather, just returning with a purple satin pillow, ordered, "Go and meet them at the door so they can get back here." Then she tossed the pillow to Jim. "I really hope he doesn't die. My insurance company is still riding my ass from the last guy who croaked."
"How compassionate, Darling," Brass replied as he rested the man's head on the pillow to let him ride out the spasms without banging his head on the floor.
"I found a card." With a trembling hand, Amber handed over are medical alert card to Jim.
"He's epileptic."
Heather snapped her fingers. "Amber, bring me his consent form. Did he write that on there?" Looking at Jim she postured, "I'm successful because I look out for my ass."
A minute later when the paramedics arrived they were accompanied by four police officers.
That's when it dawned on Jim…that he, the Assistant Director of the Crime Lab, was in Lady Heather's Dominion at two o'clock in the morning, wearing only an undershirt, trousers and socks. Glancing up he saw the veteran officer grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Assistant Director Brass," Officer Nelson nodded. "What a surprise to see you here."
Next Chapter: Losing It - Part 12
Posting: Tuesday
Teaser: A new day dawns...
Thanks for reading and your feedback on the last chapter!
Maggs