Feasibility Study
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 90: Getting ItBack – Part 1
August 24, 2005 (Day 124)
Mandalay Bay Hotel
Presidential Suite A
5:57 a.m.
Ron Grissom strolled into the main room dressed for the day in a crisp pair of khakis and a navy blue polo. "Morning, Lina."
"Aren't you chipper this morning, Guero," She warmly greeted while glancing up from the USA Today she was reading at the dining room table. "Wouldn't have anything to do with Gil and Sara coming to dinner tonight, would it?"
Taking a seat at the table he smiled, "As a matter of fact it would." Before he could reach for it Lina handed him the Money section. "I did tell you Sara is a vegetarian, right?"
"Twice." She lifted her paper and smiled. He was so nervous and excited to be entertaining his son and daughter-in-law for the first time.
"So what are we serving?" He flipped open the paper to read the Money Briefs section.
Lowering the paper once more she informed him, "We are serving, Bibb Lettuce with Hearts of Palm in a Champagne Vinaigrette, Chilean Sea Bass with Basmati Rice and tomato ragout, and chocolate sorbet topped with fresh raspberries and non-fat, sugar free whipped cream. Will that do?"
"Oh yeah…" He chuckled as he patted his stomach. "Now I need breakfast because I'm starving after hearing about all that food."
"The usual?" She stood to walk to the kitchen.
"Since it's such a special day, throw an extra packet of fake sweetener in my coffee, please."
They shared a laugh that ended in an exchange of smiles.
"Hey, Lina…" Ron asked to break the moment. "How about we check out the mall in this town? I'd like to buy my daughter-in-law a little something…something to welcome her to the family. Would you want to go with me? I could use a female opinion from a woman with style."
"Actually I was just thinking I need some new clothes for this new town." The idea of spending the day shopping with him was extremely appealing. "When should I have the car brought round?"
"Ten sound good? We can shop and grab some lunch."
Walking away she smiled. "Ten it is."
The Blakes
6:12 a.m.
While balancing Ashley on her hip Wendy hurried from the kitchen into the living room. "Boys!" She stepped into the middle of the fray. "What are the two of you fighting about?"
Sean huffed, "I was watching Discovery and Ryan came in here and flipped it to ESPN without asking. Like it would kill him to learn something besides a sports score for a change!"
"I'm just trying to help you out, Bro!" Ryan snapped. "Maybe if you knew a sports score you could talk to people your own age. Because none of the guys care about photosintickuss."
"PhotosynTHESIS!" Sean barked, "And you should care because the photosynthetic process uses water to release oxygen and if there was no oxygen to breathe, the jocks on ESPN wouldn't be able to play ball because they'd be dead. What do you think about that!"
"Are you saying all jocks, even me, should die!" Ryan lunged at him. "You're going down!"
"Get off me!" Sean yelled as he was tackled against the sofa.
"Boys! Stop this right now!"
"MOMMY!" McKenna shrieked from her bedroom. "I can't find Mr. Peter Rabbit!"
Ashley started wailing from the chaos as her mother ran down the hall. "Did you check under the bed, Sweetie!" She knew her daughter was still terrified from the other night and rushed to help her find her comfort object.
With their mother out of the room, the boys wrestled each other on the floor.
"Geek!"
"Dunce!" Sean scrambled to his feet.
"Nerd!" Ryan pounced and slammed his brother to the wall.
"Neanderthal!"
"Loser who uses words like Neanderthal and photosynthecuss!"
"PhotosyntheSIS!" With that Sean turned, grabbed his brother's arm and flipped him over onto the floor. "Take that!"
"What the…" Ryan couldn't figure out how he was on his back looking up at his weak, scrawny brother.
Grinning, Sean proudly informed his stunned muscular brother, "Aunt Carrie taught me that."
"You're dead meat!"
Sensing his brother was about to pummel him, Sean took off running out the front door.
"When I catch you..." Ryan raced after him.
Holding McKenna and Ashley, Wendy returned to the living room. "I'm glad the two of you settled your dispute like…hmm…maybe they got hungry and went into the kitchen."
Crime Lab
6:21 a.m.
Walking down the hall with her cell pressed to her ear, Catherine attempted to allay Lindsay's fears. "You'll love this bathroom ever more than the one you were going to have in the other house."
"I can't believe you bought us a house without me even looking at it!"
"We had to act fast, Honey, we have to be out of our house in two weeks." Opening the door to the DNA lab she smiled at Max and whispered, "My Diaz results?"
"It's so not fair!" Lindsay whined.
"Did I tell you Warrick picked the house because he thought your bedroom would be bigger and have more windows?" Holding her report she mouthed, thank you.
"Pops picked it?"
"Yep." Catherine rolled her eyes at the sudden change in her daughter's attitude. "Oh, and in other good news, you'll be living next door to your friend."
"Which friend?"
"Sean Blake." She held the phone away from her ear in anticipation of the scream.
"THAT BUG LOVING DORK!"
The Blake Neighborhood
6:23 a.m.
As he raced down the street, Sean could feel his brother gaining on him.
"Do you want your face to hit the pavement or the grass, Bro!" Ryan shouted as he came from behind.
Knowing he couldn't outrun him, Sean raced to think of an alternative. That's when he remembered the caterpillar nest in a tree near the entrance to Madison City Park where Nick had taken him running. He recognized it because Mr. Grissom had shown him one in his backyard. Making a sharp right, Sean rushed towards that tree.
"Give it up!" Ryan shouted as he closed in.
When he reached the tree, Sean jumped up, grabbed a handful of sticky white silk web and caterpillars. Easily snagging two dozen fuzzy squirmers in his hand. As Ryan approached, Sean stealthily hid the goop crawling with little critters behind his back.
"Payback time!" Ryan snapped.
"Take this!" Sean threw his Entomological weapon directly at his brother's face.
"OH! OH!" Ryan freaked as the sticky web tangled with caterpillars clung to his face and he frantically attempted to peel it and all the creepy-crawlies off. "GET IT OFF!"
"Look at the big tough guy…he's afraid of itsy-bitsy bugs!" Sean shouted before he took off running for home.
Jim Brass's Apartment
6:28 a.m.
Asleep next to Heather, Jim jumped when he heard his cell ring on the nightstand. "Sorry…" He apologized for startling Heather. "What time is it?"
Groggy, she grabbed her watch from the nightstand. "Half past six."
"Brass," He answered in a gruff tone.
"I'm at McCarran," The jittery female voice announced.
Pulling the phone away Jim checked the caller ID. "Ellie…you're at McCarran?" He jumped out of bed and hurried to the closet. "Where are you exactly?"
"Bench outside Terminal 1."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes." When he heard her disconnect the call without saying anything, he panicked. "She could bolt. I'm going to call in to Dispatch and have someone watch her."
Cinching her robe Heather asked, "Do you want me to go with you?"
"No…I need to do this alone." He lifted the phone. "But I'll bring her back here. If you could be here when…"
"Count on it."
The Blakes
6:34 a.m.
When Sean walked through the back door he saw his little sisters eating breakfast at the table. "I'm starving," He announced before heading for the fridge.
Wendy inquired, "Where's your brother?"
"He's at the park." Sean grabbed the milk. "I didn't feel like staying because I was hungry. Do you think Uncle Nick left for work yet?"
Wendy glanced at the clock. "He usually leaves right about now I think. Why?"
"I wanted to call him," He answered while grabbing the Cheerios from the pantry.
Handing her son the phone Wendy said, "Give it a try."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
6:36 a.m.
Spooning under plush bedding, Nick and Carrie peacefully slumbered until the phone on Nick's nightstand rang.
"Has to be for you," Nick groaned assuming it was the middle of the night. "I'm not on call."
"Mmmm…I doubt it." With her eyes still closed Carrie elbowed her fiancé. "Can you get it?"
In the darkened room he rolled away from the warmth of his fiancée's body and fumbled for the phone. "Hello." He crashed back against the pillows and kept his eyes closed.
"UNCLE NICK! UNCLE NICK!"
He bolted up with his eyes wide. "WHAT'S WRONG, SEAN!"
Carrie leapt out of bed. "OH MYGOD, WHAT!"
"Nothing's wrong, Uncle Nick," Sean calmly replied. "Sorry."
"You scared the hell out of me, boy! I was half asleep." Nick clutched his pounding chest. "This is the first day of my mandated vacation and my pulse is over a hundred before sunrise." Covering the phone he said, "Nothing's wrong."
"Thank God." Relieved, Carrie padded towards the bathroom.
"Sunrise was almost an hour ago, Uncle Nick and sorry…I didn't know you were sleeping in because you were on vacation."
"It's okay…your aunt hung up these light blocking shades and I never know what time of day it is in here." Breathing deep he climbed out of bed. "Now tell me what has you so wound up."
"I outran and outfoxed Ryan!" His voice was coated in pride. "He tried to outmuscle me, but I flipped him like Aunt Carrie taught me and then I ran like you taught me. When I knew I was getting tired, I used my brain and my Entomological knowledge that Mr. Grissom taught me, to think of an escape…I lobbed a pile of caterpillars and web right at his face. Pretty Spiderman worthy, don't you think?"
Walking into the kitchen Nick was grinning from ear to ear. "Very. But do you know what happens in comic books…or in real life when you pull that off?"
"The bad guy seeks revenge?"
"Right." Nick educated the superhero in training. "Now the thing is…he may bide his time to lull you into a false sense of security." He grabbed a coffee filter and the bag of Starbucks Sumatra on the counter. "The best villains take their time coming up with a crafty plan so when…."
Ely State Prison
6:42 a.m.
"It's your lucky day, Rodgers, The guard informed the prisoner. "Your lawyer is here and you're entitled to see him, so you'll have a little extra time beyond these walls."
"I fired my lawyer months ago," Mike coolly replied while lifting his eyes off the open Bible.
"It's your new lawyer. He says your brother hired him."
Snapping the Bible shut Mike jumped from the bed. "Is his name Schultz?"
"Yes it is."
"Hallelujah." Mike tucked the Bible under his arm and stood. "I look forward to meeting the man who will change my destiny."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
6:45 a.m.
Over the phone, Sean continued to enthuse to his future uncle about how he would keep his brother at bay. "If I rig up an alarm system to my door, I'll know if he's coming to pound me."
"Highly effective warning system, but the burning question is…what do you do once he gets through the door?" While his future nephew pondered the question, Nick filled two mugs with steaming coffee and handed one to Carrie who was standing in front of the open fridge.
"Eggs?"
Covering the phone he asked, "What's the rest of the question? Do we have any? Would I like some? Would you like me to make you some? Did they come before chickens?"
After gingerly sipping her hot coffee she replied, "I wanted you to make me one of your omelets but I just realized we only have two eggs left."
"How about I buy you a burrito on the way out town?" He pointed to the clock. "I want to be on the road no later than eight."
"What!" She stared at the delusional man in front of her. "We haven't packed or showered!"
"Sounds like a challenge for you…and I know how much you love those." He chuckled when she scampered from the room. "I could be done with both of those in fifteen minutes, Sweetheart! Wanna race?"
"Got it!" Sean yelled into the phone. "I'll ask Mr. Grissom where he gets his racing cockroaches! Since Ryan can't handle bugs, as soon as he steps into my room I'll release a few racers and he'll run away screaming."
Nick smiled at the ingenuity. "Yeah, just do me a favor…if your mom finds those roaches, you don't mention my name. It's all Mr. Grissom's fault."
"Speaking of my mom, she wants to talk to you. Bye, Uncle Nick."
"See ya." With his mug in hand Nick left the kitchen for the living room.
"What's this about a vacation?" Wendy probed as soon as she got the phone.
"I had too much unused time in the hopper so I was forced to take some." Groaning, he sat on the couch and confessed. "And my boss thought I was a little tense."
"Shocking!"
"Hey…you sounded just like my boss when you said that."
Wendy chuckled. "And is my workaholic sister-in-law taking an hour off to spend with you?"
"She's off until Monday, can you believe it? She surprised me." He felt his smile spread. "We're heading out of town in an hour."
"Wait! You have to be back by Sunday morning."
"Why?" Then he figured it out. "Oh…for church."
"No, I wanted to have a BBQ because Carrie's dad will be here only for the day before he zips to LA for some Poker Championship cruise." She heaved a heavy sigh. "He'll be so disappointed if he doesn't get to see her. I also wanted to invite Gil and Sara…and if you think they'd come, Greg Sanders and his girlfriend, Tawny. I want to thank Greg for ensuring that killer didn't have a chance to snatch McKenna and I hear Carrie talk about Tawny all the time. I think it would be great for her dad to see her happy and surrounded by friends, don't you? Maybe calm him down a bit?"
"I love that idea. I'll plan it with you…a party to honor Greg and show Carrie's dad that she's got plenty of people who care about her." Nick clicked on the TV. "I can make the calls while Carrie's in the shower. Would it be okay to invite Catherine, Warrick and Lindsay too since they'll be your new neighbors and they're friends of mine and Greg's? I know Sean would love having Lindsay nearby."
"Invite whomever you'd like, just give me a total by Friday. You know I always make enough food to feed an army. Is noon on Sunday okay for a start time?"
"Perfect."
"Have a good trip…hey, where are you going?"
"We don't have a plan, we're…"
"Carrie doesn't have a plan!"
"Nope."
"I predict she'll implode before you're over the state line."
McCarran Airport
6:51 a.m.
By the time Jim made the final approach to Terminal 1 his heart was thumping with anticipation. He knew she still had to be there because the officer parked watching her would have called if she moved. Still…he wouldn't relax until he saw her.
Finally he saw her…or at least the girl who was supposed to be her. Not that she was a little girl anymore at the age of twenty-two. The girl sitting on the bench had fire-red hair bushed out in all directions and she was wearing clothes that rivaled anything being flaunted on Industrial in the wee hours of the morning.
Upon parking his car, Jim removed his sweaty palms from the steering wheel and quickly exited to greet her. "Ellie…" He called out, still not convinced it was her.
"Yeah," She answered in a lifeless tone after dropping her cigarette.
"What's going on?" He asked, not sure what to do now that she was here. Should I try to hug her? Should I play it cool? Scenarios raced through his mind. Then he recalled that it was Stokes-inspired tough love parenting that brought her here, so he chose that same path. "You look so run down. You need help. Will you let me help you?" He cursed himself for phrasing it in the form of a question and immediately restated his thoughts. "I'm going to help you, Ellie. This time I won't take no for an answer."
"It's too late," She slurred, the lack of sleep catching up and the drugs wearing off.
"Then why are you here?" He asked while kneeling before her.
"Because I didn't want you to find me there. You said…on your message…you said you would have someone find me."
"Were would he have found you, Ellie?" Gently he took her hand. "I wouldn't have cared where as long as he did."
In her haze she replied, "Good Time Charlie's…totally nude…all the time…the hottest girls LA has to offer…twenty bucks gets you in the door and twenty more will get the girl of your choice on your lap."
The image was painful, but he pressed on with his questions. "What are you on?"
She started laughing lightly. "Whatever's handy. I'm about due. Got anything? You must see some pretty good stuff at the police station, Captain Brass."
"Yeah, I've got some good stuff at my place." Tugging her he brought his daughter to her feet. "Right this way."
The Grissoms'
6:53 a.m.
The sound of the house phone ringing jarred Sara from sleep. "Why am I…" Glancing around she tried to make sense of her locale, the feel of plaster blotches on her face and the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen. "Huh?" When she stood, she saw Gil in the kitchen wearing an apron and grabbing the cordless phone.
"Grissom." Gil hurried back to flip his next crepe.
"Hey Gris, it's Nick."
"How are you doing this morning? Jim called me last night and told me you're on vacation too...well, you're actually getting paid to stay away and the Sheriff doesn't have your picture on his dartboard." He noticed Sara walking towards the kitchen looking confused. "Can you hold on a minute, Nicky, thanks."
Sara took one look at the stove and gasped. "You're making the crepes I was supposed to be making for you."
"Is that a problem, Honey?" Gil asked in a wary tone.
Disappointed she replied, "Well, no…it's just…I had this plan…this great plan and now I can't do it because you woke up first and made the crepes and…" "
They both heard Nick cracking up on the phone.
Gil brought the receiver to his head. "What's so funny?"
"These women of ours and their need to plan everything and have it go according to plan. No wonder they've become such good friends."
"They each probably think the other is the obsessive," Grissom mused. "Just wait until Carrie wants to have a baby. You're in for a real organizational nightmare."
Sara shot her husband a look. "It worked didn't it!"
"It did!" Nick boomed through the phone. "Congratulations! I'm thrilled for the two of you."
"That's right, with everything going on yesterday, we didn't get to tell anyone."
Sara interjected, "I told Tawny and Catherine, but I swore them to secrecy because I want to tell Carrie. Tell Nick not to spill the beans!"
Gil nodded. "I did accidentally tell Greg and he let it slip to Brass."
"Call me when you're done with Nick and I can speak with Carrie." She kissed her husband's cheek. "I have to freshen up." As she strolled away her smile spread and she wondered…did Jim tell a certain lady the baby news?"
When she reached the master bath, Sara realized it was not plaster stuck to her face but dried crepe batter…it was also in her hair. "I look like hell!" She blurted at her reflection. "Gil didn't bat an eye so that really shows how much he loves me."
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Gil continued to cook and chat with Nick. "Tell Wendy we'll definitely be there Sunday."
"Great," Nick enthusiastically replied. "Oh…one more thing…Sean needs your help with a little Entomology project. Could you call over there at some point this morning and see what you could do to help him out? I know he'd love spending a little time with you too. Maybe you can fit something in during your suspension."
Gil smiled inwardly at the thought of spending quality time with his protégé. "I'm sure I could fill a whole day mentoring Sean, if it's okay with Paul and Wendy."
"Well Paul's out of town until Friday so I'm sure Wendy would love the idea."
"Terrific…I'll call over there after breakfast." When he saw Sara returning in her pink cashmere robe, clean face and her hair piled up in a clip, Gil became anxious to end the call. "Okay then…"
"Wait!" Sara yelled as she lunged for the phone. "I want to tell Carrie our news."
Although he was happy about the news and Sara's joy over spreading it, Gil sincerely wished he could give his wife a proper morning greeting.
"Hello…" Sara greeted, ready to spring her baby excitement.
"It's still me," Nick informed her. "Carrie's just getting out of the shower. I'm waiting impatiently for her to put something on."
"That has to be a change for you," She teased.
"You should know, Babe of Bug Stud…because you know so much about me thanks to the Chick Chat Hotline. By the way, in case you were still feeling sorry for her, Slick Nick's Chick is up to three positions as of eleven o'clock last night. By the end of this trip I'm thinking she could be at ten, maybe twelve depending on how tanked I get her. She's always a little more adventurous after a couple of bottles of wine. But you already know that from the pool house damage."
Sara heard Carrie shrieking in horror in the background. "Overshare!"
"Payback!" Nick replied before the phone was snatched from his hands.
Carrie squealed, "He's never going to let me live that down! I can't believe you got away with convincing Gil it was nothing. And I can't believe Tawny gaveNick a printed copy!"
"I have something else to tell you that you won't believe."
"What?"
Thrilled to share the news Sara blurted, "I'm pregnant!"
"Oh my gosh!" Carrie screamed. "When did you find out!"
"Thirty-six hours ago," She gushed. "It was all because of my careful planning," She announced loud enough for her husband to hear.
"Planning is always a good thing," Carrie replied loud enough for her fiancé to hear. "I'm so happy for you, Sara. Have you told Wendy yet? She'll be so excited."
"No, not yet. I was planning to call her later." She eyed her husband fastidiously arranging fruit on plates and pretending not to notice her accented words.
"Don't worry, we're planning on leaving town in forty-five minutes, even though I'm not packed yet, so I won't have a chance to spoil it. I can't wait to see what you have planned for the nursery, Sara."
"I have two themes planned…ladybugs for a girl and worker ants for a boy."
"Nick and I had planned on trying for our first baby a year after the wedding, but now that I know he hates planning, I think I'll just toss my birth control pills in the trash and wing it."
Sara cracked up as she envisioned the look on Nick's face. "Are you planning on taking him to the ER when he has a coronary in thirty seconds?"
Gil finally harrumphed, "Are you planning on hanging up soon so you can enjoy this frabjous breakfast I've cooked for you?"
"At least your man cooks for you," Carrie taunted her fiancé. "Mine wouldn't make me eggs this morning."
Sara heard Nick yelling in the background and laughed into the phone, "Enjoy your trip to nowhere in particular, Carrie. Oooh that made me shudder just saying it. I'll see you when you get back."
Gil informed his wife, "You'll see her Sunday at Wendy's. Nick extended an invitation to a BBQ there from Wendy."
"You made plans without consulting me?" Sara teased him. "Hey, Carrie, apparently you'll see me Sunday at Wendy's for a BBQ."
"I don't know anything about a BBQ at Wendy's on Sunday."
"That's because your man made the plans."
"OH!" Carrie laughingly replied, "Thanks for letting me know, Sara. Congrats again. I'll see you Sunday as planned."
"Bye," Sara answered as she chuckled.
Greg's Apartment
7:22 a.m.
"Morning, Chuckles," Tawny lovingly greeted when she saw Greg's eyes flutter open. She had been awake for a half hour, used the restroom and returned to cuddle so he wouldn't wake alone. "What time did you fall asleep?"
"Umm…" Blinking a few times he got his bearings. "Definitely before the Wicked Witch bites it."
"Did you have any bad dreams?"
"Not that I remember." He breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Maybe it was just a one time thing."
"Yeah."
"Good morning." After kissing her cheek Greg smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me…I uh…need to use the facilities." When he attempted to roll out of bed he grimaced. "Forgot about my back. This is what it must feel like to be ninety."
"You'd also have poor bladder control and less hair."
Wincing he attempted to swing his legs over the side. "If I don't get out of this bed in the next sixty seconds the bladder control thing is a distinct possibility."
"Let me help you." Tawny hurried to her feet smiling. "It will be good practice for growing old with you."
Taking her hand he sweetly said, "You'll be a pretty young thing at eighty-two when I'm ninety."
"Wow…think about it…Sara will only be seventy-five when Gil's ninety."
"Don't worry…Boom Boom will keep him young at heart."
The Grissoms'
7:31 a.m.
As Sara swallowed her last bite of strawberry and cream smothered crepe she lamented, "These are wonderful."
"Then why so glum?"
"Because I tried to make crepes and failed miserably."
Placing his hand on hers Gil reminded his forlorn wife, "But you're great at fertility planning and devising ways for flu-sex to be appealing."
The words sex and appeal in the same sentence reminded Sara of her new plan. "Are you finished with your breakfast as well?"
"Yes." Gil instinctively stood to clear the plates.
"No, that won't be necessary." She motioned for him to sit down while wondering if her smirk gave her away.
"You're up to something." Gil studied her eyes. "Why shouldn't I clear the dishes?"
"Because I have someone to do it for you," She announced in a cryptic tone while standing up before him and taking the ends of her robe's belt in her hands. "Her name is Mimi and if you ask her nicely…" Sara changed to a sultry tone. "…she'll do anything you'd like."
"Whoa…" Gil's eyes bulged as the robe fell away and it didn't take long for another part of his body to follow suit.
"Tawny took me to her favorite store when we were shopping yesterday on our girl's day out." Sara watched her husband's pupils expand as he appreciated the ridiculously sexy outfit.
After gulping down his drool, Gil replied in a shaky voice, "The two of you should…um…really make that a standing thing and maybe, if you included Carrie…Nick's tension problem would be alleviated as well."
Bending forward Sara lifted her husband's breakfast plate, showing off the effects of the push up bra portion of the skimpy garment. "Now if you'll excuse me, Monsieur, I have to get to my chores because I wouldn't want my employer to reprimand me." With that she wiggled toward the sink singing softly, "Voulez vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?"
And just when Gil thought he couldn't possibly be more excited over the morning surprise, Sara dropped a fork.
Giggling, she kept her legs straight and bent over to retrieve it. "So clumsy of me," She mused while shaking her bon-bon and revealing the tiny ruffled panties that came with the sinful teddy-style maid's outfit. Those cardio strip class tricks were definitely coming in handy.
Under his breath Gil murmured, "And she's having my baby. Someone pinch me."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
7:37 a.m.
"Ow!" Carrie exclaimed when she smacked her head on a closet shelf.
"What are you doing in there, Darlin'?" Nick casually inquired from his relaxed position on the bed. Showered, dressed and packed, he was catching up on sports scores. "You wouldn't be rushing to pack so you could prove a point and in your haste, knocking yourself unconscious?" Because his eyes were glued to the TV he didn't see the red boot sailing through the air. "OH!"
When she saw she nailed him in the nuts Carrie whooped. "She throws, she wounds!" Gleeful over her victory she announced, "I knew those boots I bought on our trip to Dallas would come in handy."
"So much for us having kids one day," He moaned while adjusting himself.
"Yep, I'm definitely packing those." As she retrieved the boot turned payback weapon from the floor she teased, "And I can find another stud if need be."
"Okay that's not even remotely funny…hey…" In a sudden panic he asked, "Weren't you due to get your period like yesterday? That's why you had the brownies. And you leave your pills out and I know you're down to the last row."
"I'm not pregnant, I'm just late," She calmly replied.
"And you know that because…"
"Because it's happened my whole life. That's why I'm on the pill in the first place…to regulate my cycle." She scoffed, "I certainly wasn't taking it because I was having sex nightly…or yearly even."
"So, you don't know for sure." His panic mounted. "You're just assuming…"
"Sweetie, I've been dealing with this since I was fourteen. You've only been intimate with me for three months and we've only been living together for one." Leaning over she pecked his lips. "Relax, I know my body."
"Oh…okay." He watched her walk away without a care in the world, towards the bathroom. "But Carrie…in the past you weren't sexually active. Now you are and…"
Sweetly chuckling she offered, "Do you want me to go buy a test?"
Sitting up he nervously replied, "It's too late, you've already gone to the bathroom this morning."
Emerging from the bathroom smiling she asked, "And how many times have you been through this scenario with someone?"
"What?" After understanding the question he answered, "Never….well, once…but she was a hypochondriac and I wasn't worried."
Carrie couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry…your answer was funny but I can tell you're stressing." Taking his hand she suggested, "I know you didn't want to plan anything for our trip, but how about we make our first stop the walk-in clinic on Ambrosia and get a quick blood test? I don't want you worrying about this the whole time we're gone. Especially since you're supposed to be relaxing."
"Thanks for placating me."
"You're welcome." She gave his hand a squeeze. "But you are going to have to come to terms with this irregularity, because my body will not be cooperating with your need for regimentation. Some months it comes on the Monday, sometimes Wednesday, sometimes it's barely noticeable, and sometimes I skip it entirely." Caressing his cheek she sighed. "Not good news for a control freak constantly worried about being irresponsible, huh?"
Gulping down his tension Nick replied, "It's okay…I can handle it, and we don't need to go the clinic. Like you said, you know your body. Just because I had five sisters and was surrounded by tampons my whole life doesn't make me an expert."
"Right." Standing on her toes she blanketed his lips with a kiss. "Now we're definitely going to be late for our road trip start."
"You had to say late, didn't you?" He pursed his lips trying to cope and not speak.
Walking away Carrie knew it was a losing battle. "How about I finish packing while you call the clinic and check their hours?"
"I'm on it." He hustled out of the room to grab the city phone book.
Brass's Apartment
7:46 a.m.
As they approached his apartment, Jim informed his daughter, "I'm seeing someone. She's here."
"Not really in the mood for company," Ellie droned.
"You'll like her." Jim tensed as he brought his keys to the lock. "She's not what I would call mainstream." When he opened the door, Heather was standing in the living room dressed once again like June Cleaver's sister.
"I'll say she's not mainstream." Ellie turned her nose up at the prude in the center of the room. "What…is she on her way to Bible study?"
Heather caught Jim's eyes. "I didn't have anything else presentable to wear."
"Ellie…I'd like you to meet Heather. You may have heard of her when you were here for a while a few years back." He shut the door and walked into the living room. "She runs Lady Heather's Dominion. It's a…"
"One stop freak shop," Ellie chortled while staring at the woman next to her father. "Dad and the Dominatrix…sounds like a porn flick." She plopped on the sofa clutching her purse. "Got an ashtray?"
"Here…" He handed her the clay base of a potted plant Heather had brought to liven up the place. "Can I get you something to non-alcoholic to drink?"
"Are you tee-totaling now, Dad?" She smirked as she lit up her cigarette. "That's new." After her first puff she said, "I'm not staying here…at your place. I needed to get out of LA because of this thing. I'll work here for a while."
Keeping his resolve Jim informed his daughter, "You're not staying in my town if you're using. I'm getting you help or I'm driving you back to the airport."
"I guess this will be a real short visit then." She took another drag.
"Could I see you in the kitchen, Jim?" Heather asked.
"You better listen, Dad…or she'll whip your ass." Ellie laughed imagining her father in the scenario.
Once in the kitchen Heather whispered, "Jim, she's strung out. An hour from now she'll be completely irrational. You're not going to be able to talk her into rehab in this state."
"You have a better plan?"
"Yes."
The Grissoms'
7:53 a.m.
Now that the shock of his wife's latest alter-ego had worn off, Gil relaxed in his favorite arm chair with a Forensics journal…which he was pretending to read while ogling the maid. After doing the dishes, she scurried off and when she returned, much to his delight, she was wearing strappy sandals and carrying a feather duster.
While he was doing a shabby job feigning an interest in an article Brain Contusion Analysis, Gil leered at Mimi bending over to dust the baseboards.
"Am I doing an adequate job, Monsieur Grissom?" Facing away from him Sara tried not to laugh at herself. "You're staring at me so intently I'm worried my work isn't pleasing you."
"Oh…you're doing just fine." The grin on his face was untamable. "Yes…keep up the good work, Mimi. I'm just sitting here thinking about what I'd like you to do next."
Sauntering over with her feather duster leading the way, she asked in a pouty tone, "Are you sure you don't require anything else to be dusted, Monsieur?"
He couldn't believe how in-character she was staying. She was so good he started wondering if she had done this before in her lifetime. Then he remembered Sara saying she saw Catherine while shopping yesterday…that explained it immediately. Catherine had managed to do a little coaching…again…not that he minded.
Looming over her husband and pretend-employer, Sara quizzed, "Does Monsieur need his chair dusted?" Gently she stroked the leather arm. "Or perhaps his ottoman?" She ran the duster slowly around the edge. "Or maybe something else?" Moving in for the kill, she eased the feathers over his pant leg.
"As a matter of fact…yes. I distinctly remember my boxers being a tad dusty this morning." Gil tossed his magazine and placed his hands behind his head. "Would you take care of that for me, Mimi…sil vous plait?"
"Oui oui, Monsieur." Placing her sandal on the ottoman she shoved it away and stood between her husband's legs. "I'm afraid I'll have to undo your belt in order to get to you boxers."
Tossing his arms in the air Gil joyously remarked, "C'est la vie!"
Walk-In Clinic
8:29 a.m.
Standing outside the clinic with a dozen other people waiting for the doors to open at 8:30, Carrie stared at her tense fiancée. "You definitely fit in with the crowd," Carrie whispered in Nick's ear. "Everyone looks one minute away from an aneurysm."
"You're not at all worried?" He probed.
"No. I'm only doing this so we can go on vacation and not have you stressing the whole time." She smiled reassuringly. "But I'm very worried about that poor girl sitting against the wall about to have a nervous breakdown."
"She does look real scared." Nick eyed the girl who he figured was barely eighteen if that. "She's dressed for a night on the town."
"Still dressed from a night on the town is more like it." Carrie sighed. "She hasn't been home."
The sound of the door opening caught everyone's attention. "Come on in," The receptionist greeted. "Take a clipboard from the table as you walk by. We'll go in order of who gets their paperwork done the fastest."
Carrie rubbed her palms together. "I have this in the bag. We'll be tested, reading the negative and on our way to the burrito place in fifteen minutes."
"Or…if it's positive," Nick spoke with a twitter in his voice. "We'll be on our way to the Looney Bin to drop me off."
With her clipboard in hand Carrie rushed to take a seat and begin her attempt at setting the clinic speed record for completing a testing form.
Greg's Apartment
8:32 a.m.
With a fluffy pillow behind his head Greg lay on the couch watching Tawny pack up the contents of his desk. "I really wish I could help. I'm feeling much better."
"You just take it easy there, Chuck." Tawny smiled as she emptied a drawer. "You're only feeling better because your pill kicked in. The second day is usually the worst, by tomorrow you should be on the upswing."
"You've had a back injury?"
Nodding she confessed in embarrassment, "I slipped off stage once. The girl before me had some kind of gooey stuff in her act and they didn't wipe a spot before I went out. One minute there I am looking fine dressed in my genie costume and the next I'm on the floor covered in beer and peanuts because I took out a cocktail waitress on the way down."
"Do you uh…still have that genie costume?" He inquired with school boy curiosity.
"Why?" Glancing up she purred, "Do you want to be my master one evening?"
"No, but I always wanted to be an astronaut," He quipped.
"Huh?"
"The show…I Dream of Jennie…her master, Major Nelson, worked for NASA." Sighing he admitted, "I watched a lot of sitcom repeats in my lonelier days."
"OH! I've seen that show a few times." She continued packing. "Sorry, but it wasn't my costume, it was a loaner. But don't worry, Chuckles…I have another costume I plan on buying to wear for you when you're feeling better. Let's just say I plan to take you…somewhere over the rainbow."
Snickering he impersonated the voice of Glinda the Good and quoted the movie, "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"
And Tawny replied with the correct line in a perfect clueless farm girl accent. "I'm not a witch at all…I'm Dorothy Gale…from Kansas."
"Talk about motivation to recover." Greg closed his eyes, willing his back to get better.
The Grisssoms'
8:35 a.m
"This day just keeps getting better," Gil, now stripped to his boxers, remarked while Mimi his sat on his lap feeding him a strawberry.
"Ooops," Sara commented while bringing her palm to her mouth. "I dropped a half-eaten strawberry on your freshly dusted boxer shorts."
"Zut alors!" Gil exclaimed in perfect French accent while shaking his head. "I guess that means it's time for you to do some laundry, Mimi." He was amazed at how easy this little game was becoming.
"I'll get right on it, Monsieur." Sliding of her husband's lap Sara stood before him. "I'll fetch a robe for you to wear."
As he watched her running in bouncy little steps toward their bedroom, Gil covered his mouth to hide his laughter. "This is the most relaxed I've felt in a long time."
Walk-In Clinic
8:36 a.m.
While Nick sat in the waiting room listening to the knot in his stomach twist, Carrie rushed to the desk to claim her prize…the first blood draw of the day. "Done!"
"Thank you," Lauren the receptionist said as she took the clipboard. "You can go right back with Debbie." She pointed to the lab door.
"Great, thanks." Carrie turned and winked at Nick. "Be right back, Honey."
The Grissoms'
8:38 a.m.
"I'm baaaaaack," Sara sang out as she returned holding her husband's blue terry robe in front of her.
"Merci, Mimi," Gil jokingly replied as he slipped the robe on and felt a whole new flicker of delight.
"Now let me get those for you." In one swift move Sara rushed her hands under the robe, yanked the boxers off and tapped her husband's legs so he'd step out of them. "While I'm attending to the laundry perhaps Monsieur would like to rest in the bedroom?"
"I don't know…" He replied in unease. "…it's very dusty in there."
"Then I'll grab my feather duster and meet you there, Monsieur." Strutting away she did a reprise of Lady Marmalade, "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?" And added a couple of more lines for effect. "Itchi Gitchi ya ya dada….mocho choco lata ya ya."
Swallowing hard Gil debated following Mimi into the laundry room and taking her for a spin on the dryer, but then he opted to hold out for the bedroom dusting scenario because after all…good things come to those who wait.
Walk In Clinic
8:40 a.m.
When Carrie returned she took Nick's hand. "It will be a ten minute wait." That's when she noticed the girl that had been sitting outside was now in the corner of the room severely distraught and struggling to complete her form. "I'm going to see if I can help her." Releasing Nick's hand Carrie crossed the room and took a seat next to the girl. "Hi…I don't mean to pry, but I can see you're having a rough time. Would you like a cup of water from the cooler?"
Looking up with tear-swollen eyes the girl nodded.
"I'll be right back." Carrie hurried over to the water dispenser, filled a paper cup and returned. "Here you go, Sweetie."
"Th…thanks." She sobbed harder.
"Coming here is real stressful," Carrie commented while slyly scanning the girl for signs of physical abuse or drug use.
"Why are you here?"
"My fiancée is worried I'm pregnant so we came for a blood test." Grabbing a tissue box from a nearby table she pulled out a clump and handed it to the girl. "That's him right over there." She pointed at Nick who was looking over concerned. "He's a nervous wreck. Not that we don't want to have a baby some day…just now isn't a good time. My name is Carrie, by the way."
"I'm Hannah," She replied while wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
"Since you asked me…"Carrie took the opening. "I'll ask you…why are you here, Hannah?"
With a trembling hand she raised the cool water to her lips and took a sip. "I want to get emergency contraception pills." A fresh batch of tears spilled out of her eyes.
"Oh…" Carrie tried to read the situation. "Are you conflicted about taking them? Is that why you're so upset? Maybe they have a counselor here who…"
"No, I want to take…I…I need to take them because…" She collapsed in a heap again. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I told him I didn't want to…I told him no, but…" Her tears drown her words and she stopped talking.
"How about I get us a private place to talk?" Carrie leaned over. "Would that be better?" When she saw the girl nod she said, "I'm going to have my fiancé help us with that, okay, Hannah?" Again she saw a nod. "I'll be right back."
Crossing the room for Nick she demanded, "Grab your LVPD ID from your wallet and tell the receptionist we need a private room right now."
"Got it." He jumped up, grabbing his wallet.
Carrie hurried back and found the girl rocking in her chair sobbing. "Hannah…honey…come with me. They're going to let you go right back." She helped her up. "Take my hand if you need to." When the girl did Carrie felt the intensity of her tremor.
"That's not fair!" A woman who was just finishing her paperwork yelled after the two women heading through the door to the treatment area. "She hasn't finished her form!"
Nick walked up to the woman who was as high as a kite and held up his ID. "This gives her priority. Do you have a potential police matter you'd like me to address too, Ma'am?"
"Hell no." She grabbed a magazine and opened it. "I'm just sitting here minding my own damn business."
While Carrie walked Hannah through the door the clinic tech said, "Exam room two. But the doctor and nurse aren't in yet. We only do lab tests until ten a.m."
"That's okay," Carrie told her. "Sit right in this chair, Hannah. I need you to tell me how old you are…honest answer because if you tell me stuff and you're under eighteen I'll be obligated to take action."
"Everything okay?" Nick asked when he joined them.
"I just turned eighteen a month ago…my ID is in my purse."
"Okay." Carrie smiled and nodded. "Hannah…this is my fiancé, Nick Stokes. He's not a police officer, but he works for the police department, he's a Criminalist…someone who collects evidence when a crime has taken place. He talks to people all the time who have been victims of crimes. There's nothing you can say that he hasn't heard a bunch of times before." Carrie brushed the girl's hair from her tear drenched face. "Hannah…I'm a lawyer with the prosecutor's office here in Vegas. If you have a story to tell I don't want you to tell it directly to me because it could make things confusing if a crime has taken place and it's presented for trial. So, if you can, I want you to tell your story directly to Nick or, if that's uncomfortable for you because he's a man, we could call someone else in."
"No one will believe me because…" Hannah gulped for air in between statements. "I was supposed to be at my friend Staci's house and…we went to a party instead of staying there…and…I was flirting with this guy I like…Ted."
Nick stepped forward. "Is Ted the person who..."
"No." Hannah shook her head. "He left, and I was there…waiting for Staci. The girl who was having the party…"
"Deep breath," Carrie remarked without addressing the suggestion to either party.
"Rhonda…she has a brother and he…and he…I can't…it's my fault for staying there and talking to him. No one will believe me because they saw how desperate I was for Ted. I just need to get the pill and pretend it never happened." Clutching the arms of the chair she was sitting in, Hannah said, "No one will ever know because he won't tell."
Nick crouched down in front of her. "Of course he won't tell if he's done something wrong. Look…if he did something against your will, then you have a choice…you can let it go or report a crime. Are these the same clothes you were wearing at the party?"
Hannah nodded as she tried to catch her breath.
"And you're here for pills?" He glanced up at Carrie. "ECPs?" When he saw her nod he remarked, "So this guy…Rhonda's brother…he didn't use anything? Have you showered since?"
Hannah shook her head as she tightened her grip around her body.
"Well then there's evidence of him on you, Hannah." Nick spoke compassionately, "I can call a woman I work with at the Crime Lab…a very nice woman named Catherine, who has handled this type of thing bunches of times. I promise you she'll be sensitive and professional. She can collect all the evidence necessary to confirm this guy was with you. Were there any witnesses? Where was your friend?"
"Everyone was next door…at a new party." Quavering terribly she looked up. "I don't have to say anything, right?"
"No…you don't." Although he had worked many rape cases throughout the years, suddenly he was looking at the victim in a whole new way…compassion turned to empathy. "I'm not gonna lie to you, Hannah. If you do tell, it will be hard and you'll have to go to trial and you'll have to testify and his lawyer will try to make you look bad. But, if you said no and this guy violated you…if you let him get away with it you may live to regret it and that regret may stick with you a long time, longer than you can imagine right now. There is a statute of limitations on crimes of this nature so even if you change your mind down the road it may be too late to do anything about it. But you're eighteen and it's your choice."
"Do you think I should tell?" Hannah squeaked, hoping he would say yes.
"I can't tell you what to do. All I can…."
Placing her hand on Nick's shoulder, Carrie gently interrupted. "Hannah…off the record…I knew this person who held something like this in since they were nine…twenty-five years later they were surprised to find all the fear and anger they felt when it happened was still trapped inside. It never went away, it just hid and impacted their life in little ways they weren't even fully aware of until now. They also realized that the person who violated them was still probably out there…and could still be doing it to others. But it's too late for them to bring charges even though they'd love to see the person pay for their crime. "
Nick locked his eyes on Hannah's teary ones and one deep breath later he admitted, "She's talking about me."
Brass's Apartment
8:55 a.m.
Having agreed to Heather's stealthy plan, Jim made the first move. "Ellie, I'm going to go out and grab us some breakfast. What would you like…donuts, bagels…name it."
Holding her head she jittered, "Donuts…and coffee with all the trimmings."
Jim turned to his partner, "Heather, I'll be back in fifteen minutes."
"I'm going to jump in the shower while you're gone and let Ellie rest." Grabbing her purse from the coffee table, Heather opened it and retrieved her wallet. "Would you mind depositing a check for me on your way to get the food? Everything is filled out inside here." Now Ellie wouldn't be able to grab cash for a future fix.
"I wouldn't mind at all." Jim took the wallet and watched as Heather dropped her open purse onto the coffee table. "I'll see you soon."
"Bye." Once he was out the door Heather politely asked, "Is there anything you need before I get in the shower?"
"You to stop talking." She gripped her head.
Walking into the bedroom Heather commented, "The remote is on the coffee table and your father has a premium cable package so I'm sure there's something on you'd like."
Once she saw the bedroom door close, Ellie lunged for the pill bottle peeking out from inside Heather's purse. The label said Diazepam, the generic for Valium, and she was happy for the freebies. Opening the bottle she snaked out six pills, moving one to her right hand and stuffing the other five into the pocket of her tiny black leather shorts.
From outside, Jim watched his daughter's actions through the window. The plan worked. She took a pill, she saved some for later. Now she wouldn't be compelled to go looking for a fix god knows where and doing whomever she needed to do in the process. Because neither he nor Heather gave her the medication they weren't condoning the action or legally responsible for it and maybe, just maybe, Ellie would relax and hang out long enough for the second half of the plan to really work.
Greg's Apartment
9:09 a.m.
"I hate seeing you do all this work when you're pregnant with twins," Greg remarked from his mandated spot on the couch.
"I'm not lifting anything, Sweetie, I'm just stuffing things in boxes." Holding up the collection of porn magazines she just discovered in the bottom desk drawer, Tawny casually asked, "Want something to read?"
Greg very calmly lied, "There are some fascinating articles in those."
"Why are the pages stuck together?" She asked in a naïve tone while pretending she couldn't open the first magazine.
"Very funny." He grinned along with her. "I'm really starting to wonder if there isn't some Hojem blood in your family tree. That wicked sense of humor and penchant for taunting me is so similar to my mother and grandma…I wish you could have met her, she was a piece of work."
"Aww me too, Sweetie. So…are we keeping or tossing the quality reading material?" Tawny waited to see if he'd give the right answer.
"Keeping." Greg loved watching her jaw drop. "But not for me. I'm going to give them to Hodges as a joke."
"Excuse me?" Holding the magazines Tawny walked over and sat on the edge of the couch. "You wouldn't give Hodges the time of day. You hate him. Why would you give him your old porn?"
"Oh…yeah…about that animosity between Hodges and me." He took Tawny's hand. "There's a funny explanation for that…um…remember that story I told you about the guy who kissed me without asking, because he was trying to find out if he was gay or not?"
"The guy was Hodges!" Livid, she spat, "No wonder you can't stand him. That was a really crappy thing to spring on you without asking!"
"Here's the really funny part." He cringe-laughed. "I had this little chat with him yesterday and it turns out that I had some of the pertinent facts confused…because I was obliterated from a Becca-induced tequila binge at the time he picked me up from the airport and…"
"Which pertinent facts did you confuse?"
"I guess confuse really isn't the right word," He groaned as he scratched his Percocet-numbed head. "Reversed the facts would uh…actually be more accurate."
Stunned, she blurted, "You kissed Hodges to find out if you were gay!"
"Is the wedding we haven't planned yet, off?"
"Why Hodges!" She quizzed in horror. "I mean if you were really going for it, why not Warrick? The man has a damn fine set of lips. Definitely not Nick, his lips are too thin."
"Excuse me!"
Tawny nodded. "You're right,Warrick doesn't have an ounce of non-hetero in him and he would have pummeled you."
"No, I mean how long have you been lusting over Warrick's lips!"
"What?" She chuckled heartily. "It doesn't mean I want to kiss him. I just have a habit of noticing physical attributes and categorizing them. I used to do it out of boredom while dancing. I'd look out at the lounge of losers and give them awards…worst hair piece, biggest beer gut, you get the picture. I've done the same with your friends…you're not included in case you were wondering…which I know you are. Anyway, Warrick earned the most kissable lips award. Catherine was the runner-up for her very nice botox work. See it's non-sexual…I don't want to kiss either of them. It's purely scientific structural analysis." She giggled. "But I bet they really enjoy kissing each other."
Catherine's House
9:14 a.m.
When they approached the door of the house Warrick swept Catherine off her feet.
Giddy from the unexpected move she laughed, "You're supposed to carry me over the threshold of our new house not my old one."
"This isn't symbolic of anything." He winked, "All I'm trying to do is get you into the house as fast as possible because we have to pick up Lindsay from diving lessons in forty five minutes."
"Quality not quantity I say." With her arms around his neck she covered his mouth with a delicious latte-flavored kiss. "And with you it's always quality, Baby."
Holding her in one arm, he opened the door with the other. "Where to?"
"Bedroom…it was a long, hard shift and I'm in the mood for some luxury as well as some long, hard…" Her words were cut off by the crush of his kiss as he kicked the door closed.
"Aren't you an able multi-tasker today?" She mused while he hurried toward the bedroom.
"I work very well under time pressure."
"And I work very well under you..." Once again she was silenced by his demanding kiss.
The Grissoms'
9:16 a.m.
"I hate to make demands, Mimi, but…" With a glint in his eyes, Gil pointed to the ceiling fan above the bed. "At some point I'd like you to dust the blades."
"Oui, Monsieur." Scampering over to the stereo she politely inquired, "May I play some music while I work?"
"Certainly." Lounging on the bed he picked up the novel he was pretending to read and anxiously awaited her musical selection.
"You must love opera." With her back to him she grinned and forced herself to stay in the role.
"It's very passionate music."
"Well then I'll play some." She selected their favorite, Bizet's Carmen. "Because I'm very passionate about my work, Monsieur."
The role now an easy one to play, he smoothly replied, "I tip members of my staff very well when they put forth extra effort and attention to detail."
"Very good to know, Monsieur." With her feather duster in hand she began erotically cleaning to the music.
Gil couldn't believe how seductive it was to watch Sara dust to Carmen. It was downright…
"Where is your wife?" Sara asked in a carefree tone wondering how her clever husband would respond.
"I'm not married," He quickly replied. "All these feminine belongings you see were left by previous lovers." He grinned like a Cheshire cat. "I have a reputation as a lothario. You should watch yourself around me, Mimi."
Sara struggled to keep a straight face and dusted her way toward the bathroom for a momentary retreat out of character. While there she spied her Sugar Cookie lotion and doused herself good.
"Oh, Mimi…" Gil beckoned from the bed. "I'd like you to adjust the air conditioning because it feels very hot in here to me. Are you getting hot?"
"Why yes…I am." She scampered out smelling like a bakery filled with trays of decadently sinful cookies. "After I turn it on a little more, I'll dust the fan."
"Perfect." He lifted the book and faked reading again.
At the edge of the bed, Sara took off her heels and neatly stowed them. "Oooh, you are right, Monsieur, that fan is very, very dirty," She remarked in a naughty-girl pout while climbing up on the bed. "I'll make sure I do a very thorough job with long deep strokes of my feather duster."
Gil swallowed hard and prepared for the show.
"Oooh…look at all the filthy, filthy dust." While shaking her ruffly tail feather she went to work.
Gil appreciated the view from below for the first time and although it was devastatingly stimulating, he held himself in check…until he heard the familiar melody of Habenera and breathed in the scent of sugar cookies. "Forgive me, Mimi."
"Monsieur!" Sara gasped as he tugged her down beside him. "Was I not doing a good job on the fan?"
"Too good," He panted before seizing her lips with a kiss that had been building since Mimi introduced herself.
"But, Monsieur!" Sara protested. "I work for you. You're my boss. This is wrong…very, very wrong." Making her push-up bra enhanced chest heave only inches from Gil's face she reinforced her statement. "Even though I'm incredibly attracted to you, I think it's a very bad idea for a girl to lust after her boss."
For the first time Gil cracked. "Oh you do…"
"Ahh!" Sara raised her finger to remind him the game was still afoot.
"Mimi…" Gil straddled the gorgeous woman panting and writhing before him. "In the words of Donald Trump…you're fired." His grin returned. "Now I'm no longer your boss...problem solved."
"Monsieur…" Sara matched the intensity of his grin. "You are such an intelligent man. That only makes me want you more. Since I'm no longer a maid, will you help free me from this restrictive uniform?"
"If it will make you happy." Helping her up, he lifted the teddy over her head leaving only the matching ruffle panties. "Is that better?" He knew his answer was a resounding HELL YES! Those pregnancy boobs were looking better by the day.
"Yes…oh, yes!" She crashed against the sheets. "This music…your voice…those sexy eyes of yours. Pinch me because I know I must be dreaming. After all…how could a poor servant girl like me be so lucky to have a man of your wealth and brilliance find me desirable?"
Determined to top her performance, Gil enthused, "But Mimi…" He blanketed her body with his and cupped her cheek. "You're gorgeous…and witty…and so good with a feather duster. What man wouldn't want you? I'm sure once I make love to you I'll never want another woman."
"Is that your plan?" Sara panted while returning his zeal for the ruse. "To have your way with me? To…to…" She gasped. "Ravage my body? Oh, Monsieur!"
"Most definitely," He growled in her ear, loving her ability to immerse herself in the part.
"Monsieur, you should know…I've never been with anyone before." She knew that line would send him reeling. "Please forgive my naiveté as you have your way with me."
She's making Mimi a virgin! Gil silently screamed. Is she trying to kill me? What's next? Mimi is twenty! "Perhaps I shouldn't." He countered, curious to see how she'd react.
"No, please…you must! My body aches for you!" She squirmed with pleasure as she undid the tie of his robe. Channeling a performance that would make Scarlett O'Hara's longing for Rhett Butler seem subdued, Sara begged, "I'm practically a spinster at twenty-one. Don't you see…I'm ripe for the picking! Pluck me! Please, Monsieur, before I wither on the vine! I'm such a lucky girl to have a man with your expertise take my innocence and make me a woman. Oh yes…you must! Pluck me now, please! Pluck me!"
Gil rewarded the Oscar-worthy performance by fulfilling the desperate plea.
Sara, since the loss of her innocence in real life was drastically disappointing, decided to let the role play replace the bad memory and therefore played virginal Mimi to the hilt. "Oh, Monsieur!" She cried out as she clung to him. "Oh…this is so…"
Never having the opportunity to pluck a virgin in real life, and after hearing Warrick and Nick trade college stories about such delicate deeds, Gil suddenly found the endeavor extremely enticing. "Are you okay, Mimi?" He caressed her cheek as he lovingly gazed into her eyes.
"Yes…oh yes," She sighed with pleasure from the question. A question that loser Tom McGee from Applied Statistics freshman year never thought to ask. "You're such a gentle lover, Monsieur. Perfect…just perfect." Smiling, she enjoyed her fantasy within a fantasy with the man she loved in reality. "Yessss…it's perfect."
Next Chapter: Getting It Back - Part 2
Posting: Monday
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this new series. Lots of togetherness in this series!
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts,
Maggs