Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 8
August 29, 2005
The Tempest
Suite 1411
10:09 p.m
As the door slammed, Drew strolled through the suite shaking his head. "Well this night is turning out a bit different than I had planned." From the coffee table he grabbed the chilled bottle of Cristal from its bucket and took a swig. "Sorry…where are my manners, Nicky?" He grabbed a glass and extended it. "Would you like a drink?"
His disgust mushrooming Nick replied, "Sure." And when his brother handed him the glass he promptly hurled its contents at Andy's face and threw the glass at the wall.
"You're still such a friggin' girl," Drew remarked while wiping his face with his sleeve. "Hitting me square in the jaw would have been the proper choice there. Will there ever come a time when I'm not educatin' you on how to be a man?"
Stuffing his arms across his chest Nick explained, "I threw the drink on behalf of Tawny but now that I think about it, she probably would have rather I kicked you in the balls. Where do you come off coercing her into prostitution? I'm LVPD and witnessed you soliciting. I could have you arrested. And, on another note…you're nearly twice her age and all that Babygirl talk…you're disgusting."
"Would you please take off your superhero cape for minute and listen to me?" Drew relaxed his stance. "First off…she was twenty-one when I met her, I checked her ID to make sure so, don't accuse me of being a pervert. Lots of men bed, date and marry significantly younger women, surely you must know some."
Nick postured. "There's a difference between being with a younger woman and wanting her to play your baby girl. Today twenty-one is your limit, what's it gonna be next week?"
"Now you're the one with the sick mind." After a gulp of champagne Drew continued, "I assure you I wasn't the only one making a move that night at the Strip Club when she was grinding into my lap in the VIP room and believe me…she didn't mind me calling her Babygirl when I was stuffing a couple of c-notes in her g-string. She liked the wad of cash in my hand, she liked what she saw, and she wanted to party just as much as me. So let's be realistic, Nicky..." He paused for another swig. "The girl rode me like a pro the first night I met her in exchange for nothin' but sweet talk and room service. I felt guilty lyin' to her about being single and takin' it for free, so tonight I made it clear I'll never be her boyfriend, then I offered to compensate her. Now I don't know your history with her but, trust me…she was a whore well before my dealings with her tonight."
After Nick's fist connected squarely with Drew's chin he snapped, "That's from me, in case you were wonderin'. Now shut your god damn mouth about Tawny because you don't know shit about her."
Bringing his fingers to the impending bruise Drew laughed. "Wow…is that really all you've got?" Crossing the room he brought the bottle to his lips and then plopped on the couch. "Is Tawny another one of your special projects, Nicky? Like that prostitute you were trying to save who almost got you thrown in jail for life? Is Miss Tawny Cooper playin' Mary Magdalene to your Jesus Christ this month?" Shaking his head he sighed, "You always took Sunday School a little too seriously. You spend so much time helping the disenfranchised at work and after hours you've become disenfranchised yourself…living in a tiny apartment. Shit…you can't even afford to buy a proper house before you marry. You grew up not wantin' for a thing, so how can you be content starting a family without a decent roof for your wife and future children?"
Laughing out loud Nick asked, "Are you serious? You are telling me what it takes to be a decent husband and father when you're screwin' other women and ignoring your kids? Call me delusional but…I really don't think the size of the roof they're livin' under matters as much as your disrespect for them."
"Well, you're wrong there, Nicky." Drew tossed his feet on the table. "Lissa knows about the women. I started sleeping with them when she stopped sleeping with me. She won't divorce me because of the pre-nup she signed. There are only two reasons listed that entitle her to anything…physical abuse and public humiliation. Other than that, if she walks away she does it with the clothes on her back and without the kids unless I say otherwise. She has a high school degree and she can't model anymore because she let her body go to hell. What's she gonna do? Sling fries at Mickey D's?' He took another swig. "I can't ask for a divorce because you know the rule…Stokes men marry for life. So she gets to keep her showy lifestyle and I get to screw other women." Raising the bottle he said, "That, my brother, is the mutually agreed upon reality of our marriage situation."
While he digested the latest shock, Nick remained silent.
"I know this is an awful lot of growing up for you to do in one night but, you need to learn most people operate in the gray. Your black and white world full of rules and regulations is really quite an exception."
"You know…" Exhaling some of the disgust Nick said, "You're right…it's not my place to get in between a husband and wife who mutually consent to ignore their wedding vows."
Drew smiled warmly and stood. "That's right." He stepped around to face his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"However…" Nick brushed Andy's hand off him. "Your children are part of my family and I feel quite comfortable telling you that I think you're a lousy father for ignoring your kids so you can mess around. I heard you say you didn't want to go home to 'The Artic North' and it may be because of your 'Ice Queen Bitch' wife but your kids are living in the same place, are they not? So I feel very justified in saying that whatever shit-life you and Melissa have decided is okay for you, isn't okay for those kids. To use your words…you grew up without wanting for a thing…including two parents who provided a stable environment for their children. How can you turn around and give your kids less than what you had?"
"To use your words…" He guffawed, "Are you serious?" Drew stuffed his hands on his hips. "As a father what exactly am I doing differently than Dad? I'm working my ass off to provide for my kids and when I'm home I'm into it. I take them for pony rides and for walks in the stroller. I read them bedtime stories and kiss their boo-boos. They're little, Nicky, there's only so much I can do. When they grow I'll be just like dad playing the weekend hero…tossing balls and going to Father-Daughter Scout dances. My children live in a house that's paid for, they have financial accounts with prep-school tuition money and college funds. They're set for life, I can give them whatever they need or desire. Are you going to be able to say the same when your first kid is born?"
Miffed, Nick simply said, "I don't get how you ended up this way. It's so different than what we knew."
Setting the champagne bottle down on the coffee table Andy replied, "And I don't know if you're having memory problems or what but, Dad wasn't home until after we went to bed during the week and Mom…hell…if anything…my kids have a better parenting environment because they have a mother who is home with them instead of being tended to by nannies and babysitters. Not to sound insane for defending the woman I can't stand to come home to but…Lissa may be a horrible wife but she's a damn good mother."
"Yeah…okay…whatever, I'm going." His blood pressure rising Nick headed for the door. "You're a real piece of work."
"Too much gray for you there, Bro? Or do you just like to remember your childhood as all lollipops and gumdrops?" Drew called after him. "Hey! How about we bring all of this up again after you've been married to Carrie for five years and see what's what? Yeah…I'll be curious to see how a hound dog like you holds up down the road when your woman is freezing you out in bed and packing on the pounds. I've seen pictures, Carrie's a gidget…twenty extra pounds on her and you'll be keeping the lights off. Eventually, when you slip it to someone else…I'll expect an apology then."
"Don't ever disrespect Carrie!" Nick blasted after ramming Drew into the wall.
"Hell yeah! Now he's pissed! I knew tweaking you about your woman would do it," Drew spat while shoving Nick off him and sending him crashing onto the couch. "Okay, runt, here we go…you've been waiting for this moment your whole life…give it your best shot. Gentlemen's rules…no cheap shots." Rolling up his sleeves he waved him on. "You're five years younger but, I'm still five inches taller and have thirty pounds of muscle on ya…plus I have a reputation as your big brother to protect."
"True but…" On the edge of the couch and his patience, Nick focused his energy into his legs to spring forward. "…you should never underestimate decades of pent up rage." After a quick bob to the right, Nick landed a hook to his brother's cheek. "I'm gonna pay you back for every time you messed with me," he shouted during a flurry of punches.
Two solid retaliatory punches later Drew yelled, "And I'm going to give you the same lesson I did every time you tried to prove you weren't weak…" He landed another firm blow. "I'm gonna prove that you are."
"You can try." He fought back with a vengeance, getting a running start and tackling Andy into the well-stocked bar and sending all the glassware and bottles flying.
"You're much better than last time we conducted this exercise in futility," Drew laughed before grabbing Nick and crashing him into the wall.
"Yeah….how's this!" Turning, he threw a few jabs.
Unfazed by the punches Drew nodded. "Okay, that was your head start…now I'm gonna put both dogs in the ring and you're going down." He followed up his threat with a harsh series of blows, the last of which sent his brother crashing to the floor.
On the carpet, Nick spat the blood that was in his mouth and saw that his stitches from the previous night had opened.
Walking towards the TV Drew commented, "I'll be over here checking the scores while you're channeling some more of that pent up rage you mentioned." Grabbing the remote he sighed, "Because I know you won't have the sense to stay down…you never did."
Tawny's Ford
10:20 p.m.
As Tawny drove home from The Tempest, rain poured from a stormy sky while tears did the same from her eyes. The city hadn't seen rain in weeks and like the dry ground needed the relief, Tawny needed the release as she dropped her facade.
When facing Drew she had appeared tough just as Nick directed her… you have to promise me you'll stay strong or we won't do this. You can't ever let my brother know you're dying on the inside. You have to hold it together. That means you don't let him hear it in your voice and you don't shed a tear until he can't see you. Trust me…you don't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he hurt you because he thrives on it.
The Tempest
Suite 1411
10:21 p.m
While Drew was flipping through the channels for ESPN, Nick jumped to his feet and charged him.
"I knew it," Drew commented in a laugh as his brother tackled him. "Maybe today will be the day you finally learn." He accentuated his point by tossing Nick into an accent table displaying a sculpture.
Their rage equally matched, the fighting quickly intensified and the suite décor continued to suffer…a vase of flowers and a smashed coffee table the next victims.
"I'll be damned, you broke my nose!" Drew shouted as blood ran down his face.
"Looks like you'll be the one learning a lesson today, Bro," Nick snarked as he shook out his right hand.
"You think so, huh?" While he distracted his brother, Drew stealthily pounded a left hook into Nick's face. "You haven't learned shit," he yelled as Nick hit the floor. "That's the same move I took you out with the last time we rumbled. Now do your face a favor and…" The unexpected sound of the suite's front door flying open grabbed his attention
"Party's over boys," the first of two hefty security guys barked as he marched into the room. "I'm Lenny, and my pal Brutus and I are here to show you the door."
"We're cool!" Drew announced while standing to greet the muscular giant. "We're done and I'll pay for the damage."
Ignoring the man, Lenny grabbed his arms and pinned them behind his back. "How dare you trash Mr. Braun's new hotel."
"Get your god damn hands off me!" Drew fought to get his arms free, but tired from the match with Nick and out-muscled by the enormous man, it was pointless.
"Cops are waiting for you outside. You can settle your bill after a trip to the station."
The second burly henchman grabbed Nick by the shirt collar, yanked him to his feet and out the door.
Still dazed from his brother's brutal punch, Nick couldn't walk. "Could you…slow…"
Dragging Nick down the hall to the service elevator Brutus laughed, "Don't worry, little fella, I'll carry you."
Lenny and Drew entered the private employees-only service elevator first and while Lenny held open the door, Drew watched Nick struggling to walk. "Bro…are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Nick snarled even though he couldn't see straight. Unfortunately, at the elevator Brutus threw him down and when he landed on his back, the dizziness intensified.
Pissed at what he observed, Drew snapped, "Hey! Don't be messin' with my little brother!"
To which Brutus elbowed Lenny. "The guy was beating the shit out of him before we got there and now he's pissed I'm roughing him up."
"My brother and I are the same way," Lenny jovially explained. "I have no problem beating him within an inch of his life, but somebody looks at him the wrong way and they're payin' big."
Brutus nodded. "I once ripped a guy's arm off for touching my sister's ass."
The two men laughed until the service elevator door shut giving them privacy, then Lenny viciously slammed Drew into the back wall. "We want you, and your piece of shit brother, to get a crystal clear message…you're not welcome in Mr. Braun's hotels." He drove home his point with a heavyweight gut punch.
"Did you hear that, Little Bro?" Brutus barked to Nick, who was still disoriented on the floor of the elevator. To drive his point home, he brought the sole of his heavy steel-toe-capped shoe down to stomp Nick's body.
The sound of his brother's yelp fueled Drew to a rage. "You mother …" His words and his power play were promptly ended by Lenny's fist.
Tawny's Ford Escape
10:28 p.m.
On the final approach home, Tawny dreamed that she'd enter the townhouse and find a message from Greg on their voicemail. Since her cell phone was in pieces she had no way of knowing if he had called while she was at the hotel.
Upon parking in the driveway she snapped back to reality and the rain outside. Glancing over her shoulder, she checked to see if she had anything in the backseat to function as an umbrella. Noting a plastic grocery store bag she reached to get it and when she turned back around she saw a face in the window and screamed.
"Tawny!" Greg yelled as he opened the Escape's driver-side door. "Are you okay! I just got back and saw your smashed cell phone and your clothes tossed all over the bedroom."
"Greg!" She flew out of the car and into his arms. "You're here! Oh my god! You're really here!"
Holding her tight he felt her heart frantically thumping like his. "I left my car at the airport and flew home so I could get here faster…and because I was afraid to drive when I had so much on my mind." He strengthened his grip. "I love you so much and I'm not just saying it…I know it…I know it without a doubt."
"I hear it in your voice," Tawny whispered while savoring the much needed embrace.
"Now please hear me out." Pulling back so he could gaze into her eyes Greg confidently assured her, "I know you're the best thing that could ever happen to me. I know because you love me for who I am…quirks, low paying job and messed up hair included. I love you because you're compassionate and you really listen and care what people have to say. You value the people in your life and most of all, you see value in me."
For the first time, she saw the same message in his eyes that she heard in his voice.
"I know you love me because you encourage me when I'm down and you help me succeed. For instance…you've done so many things to prepare me to make a good impression with my dad on this trip right down to the swim trunks you bought me. Also…you want me to be the best person I can be, not the wealthiest guy or the guy with the best car…the best person on the inside. And, yeah I know I've said some of these things before but, now I feel them in my heart." His eyes welling, Greg spoke softly while framing Tawny's tear-stained face with his hands. "I know you're the only woman for me…I knowbecause of the way you hold me when I have nightmares…how you make me feel safe and loved. I know from the way your eyes light up whenever you talk about ourbabies. I know because…when you speak of our future together it's never about a big house or a fancy vacation…it's about us being happy, about our kids growing up loved." Taking her hand he brought it to his mouth for a tender kiss. "It's love what we have between us, Tawny…in its purest form. Even though our road was chosen for us, I can't imagine being on a better one. You are the woman I want to marry and spend the rest of my life with and when you say yes I'll be the happiest man alive."
Swooning she said, "Yes, Greg, I'll marry you."
"What? Oh!" He jumped back frantically running his fingers through his wet hair. "I'm such a blurter! I didn't mean to…actually that was a statement I made not a question because if you really go back and think about it, I said 'when you say yes', not 'will you say yes?' but I suppose the context was clear so…ugh!" He kept shaking his head. "I said all the right stuff and here we are at night in the rain caught up in this perfect romantic moment after I rush from the airport but…I don't have the ring! And why don't I have the ring? Because my mother has the ring locked in her bedroom dresser drawer. What would Dr. Myers say about that symbolism! I think we can guess. Unbelievable! Unbelievable!"
Covering her mouth Tawny couldn't hide the laugh. "I'm sorry."
"It's just…" Bursting into a smile he said, "I have this plan."
"I know...you keep mentioning that." Her smile continued to stretch.
"Let's think about this." Scratching his head Greg said, "There's no duplication, because in my plan I'm not saying those things I just said because…well, I can't explain why without ruining the surprise, but let's say the setting doesn't provide the intimacy required to say those things so…how about we consider this part one of a two part proposal?"
"Love the idea!" Exuding a new level of joy she sweetly inquired, "Can I call you my fiancé now…or do I have to wait for part two?"
"Oh." The question jarred him back to reality. "Actually... um…I was so worried about you, that when I saw you I got so caught up in the moment I forgot to…um…what I'm trying to say is…you may want to call me something entirely different when you hear what I have to tell you." Greg confessed in a broken whisper, "I was with Becca, but I swear I didn't sleep with her."
"Did you kiss her?" Tawny asked while checking Greg's eyes.
"Yes," he shamefully admitted. "You and Dr. Myers were both right…I still had unresolved feelings for her. I realized that when she kissed me. I kissed her back but, after a minute it didn't feel like the beginning of something with her…it felt like the end. After the kiss things got a little weird." He glanced down at the rain pooling in the driveway. "Tawny, I guarantee you I got closure. It's just, I'm not proud of how I got it because in hindsight it was a bit immature and it will probably just fuel her ego when she gets over the shock. I'm going to tell you what I did and I'll totally understand if you're severely pissed off."
Trying to quell her giddiness Tawny asked, "Did you lead her on by fooling around until she was so hot for you that she begged you to make love to her?"
"Uh…" Reconnecting with Tawny's eyes Greg said, "Yeah, but how did you…"
"Did you purposely let her see you had something to offer and that you know how to use it?"
"Um…" Swallowing hard he admitted, "Yeah…I did, but then at the last second I pulled up my swim trunks and told her to go to hell…although I said a lot more than that because you know I'm a talker and…" His words were halted by Tawny's frenetic kiss. When they came up for air he panted, "You're not mad I…"
"No way! She deserved it after teasing your mercilessly for years." Tawny bubbled with delight as the rain started to slow. "After being jerked around for that long, I would have done exactly the same thing in your position."
Breathing a huge sigh of relief Greg admitted, "Honestly…I'm not sure she would have understood my perspective if I approached it another way. It was clear she wasn't interested in listening to what I had to say because she kept cutting me off." Watching Tawny's smile expand he remarked, "I can't believe how happy you look." Thrilled by her glee Greg laughingly asked, "Would you have been this happy if I really did sleep with Becca and decided afterwards that you're my perfect match?"
Laughing with him she replied, "No, I'm pretty sure I would have kicked you in the balls and then proceeded to beat you into a stupor."
Squad Car
10:37 p.m.
In the back of the car in cuffs on the way to Boulevard Station, Drew asked his brother for the third time, "Nicky, are you sure you're okay because you don't look so good. That was…"
"I said I'm fine," he replied through gritted teeth as he stared out the window, avoiding his brother's eyes. He really wished the cops had split them into two cars and he wouldn't have to front through the pain. Unfortunately one of the cops knew him and trusted that he and his brother wouldn't cause more trouble on the ride.
"I swear I'm not messin' with you, Nicky," Drew assured him in a sincere tone. "I saw what that goon did to you and I know you have to be hurting. I would be hurting."
"That's you. I'm fine." Closing his eyes Nick breathed through the pain and motivated himself with a memory.
Alone in the Junior High locker room with his brother, Nick waited for his mother to bring the car around and take him to the hospital. "I'm sorry, Andy. I'm really sorry. I know I shamed you and daddy."
"You bet your ass you shamed us, runt! You're not fit to wear the Stokes name on the back of that jersey!" he blasted. "I played the last five minutes of State with two broken ribs and you can't even walk off the field when you twist your damn ankle." Outraged he grabbed his brother's swelling foot and gave it a sharp squeeze.
Gripping the edge of the bench with his hands Nick gasped as the pain intensified.
"Don't make a sound, do you hear me? You make a sound and I swear I'll break it." Strengthening his grip Andy barked, "You need to learn to persevere because I'm not going to have the family name tainted every time you get your sorry ass on the field. Work…through…the pain! Never let them see you're dying on the inside, do you hear me, runt! Never!"
"Nicky…" Drew moved a little closer.
"Leave me the hell alone already!" Nick snarled, using the pain to fuel his anger. "You think this is the worst thing I've ever been through. It's not! Compared to some of the shit I've been through on the job it's nothing. Now for the last time…drop it."
"Okay…okay." Drew backed off and returned to watching the raindrops drip down the window.
The Townhouse
10:44 p.m.
Drenched from the storm and their passion ablaze, Tawny and Greg left a trail of damp clothes on the way to the bedroom.
"Ooh! I forgot to tell you…I loved your poem." Tawny sighed with pleasure as she fell back on the bed wearing only her rhinestone-studded red lace g-string.
"You inspired me to write poetry." Greg tossed his pants and joined her. "And now you're inspiring something else in me."
Tawny's eyes sparkled as Greg pulled her on top of him and when the thunder clapped outside she giggled, "We've never made love during a storm."
"We can't get carried away, remember?" Caressing her thighs he warned, "We're clear as of yesterday from the doctor, but she said nice and slow with you in charge."
"So we'll go slow." With her hands she sensually lifted her hair to further beguile him.
"Hey, I've never seen that bracelet." Greg's heart skipped a beat as he thought of her broken phone and the clothes strewn around in what he now thought might be a hurry to get somewhere. "Um…why were you dressed for a night on the town? Where were you returning from and um…why are you wearing your sexiest underwear when you said you were expecting me to call from California and not show up here?"
"Uh…"
Boulevard Station
10:59 p.m.
Officers Mezzer and Garcia escorted Nick and Drew to the overflow holding cells. "We'll keep you separate from the real criminals, Stokes," Mezzer informed his work acquaintance. "Sarge is calling your boss though so you're in deep shit. Getting booked isn't a wise career move. This is gonna cost you big. I hear they're hiring security over at that new Wal-Mart, maybe you can get something there."
When Nick didn't reply Drew said, "Look at him…you think he assaulted me? Hell…he was just defending himself when I hauled off at him and he got in one lucky punch at my nose." When the bars shut locking him alone in the cell he prodded, "Tell 'em, Nicky. Tell 'em you didn't do anything except protect yourself."
In the holding cell across from his brother Nick headed for the water fountain without saying a word.
So Drew kept talking. "He's embarrassed from the ass whipping, that's why he's not talking. Give me a pad and paper and I'll write a statement taking full responsibility."
Garcia nodded, "We've got other priorities, so we'll get to that when we have a chance."
Once they were alone Drew spoke to his brother's back from across the way. "Nicky, you better drop the macho bullshit ASAP! In the grand scheme of life it doesn't matter if I say on paper I kicked your ass. What does matter is saving your career and not impacting your fiancée's. She works for the DA's office and it will be a political nightmare if her future husband gets canned. And you know what Mama and Daddy will say to you for messing up your future. Nicky, use your head and not your ego here. I'm giving you a chance. I swear you won't owe me anything and I won't rub it in your face." When he saw Nick remain hunched over the water fountain drinking he yelled, "C'mon, talk to me!"
The Townhouse
11:09 p.m.
"Can't we talk about this!" Tawny pleaded as Greg rushed out of bed.
"Later." Tugging on the jeans he had shucked not long ago, Greg huffed, "I'm going to the hotel."
"No!" Tawny bolted from the bed and grabbed his hand. "You can't."
Shaking loose of her grip he headed for his closet. "I know you said you handled it and he got the message but, I want to give him one of my own."
Racing to her closet she tossed on a purple tank shirt and shorts just in case she had to follow him outside. "Just drop it, Greg!" she yelled when she saw him stuffing his feet in a pair of blue Pumas.
"He solicited you for prostitution, Tawny. No, I'm not going to drop it." Grabbing her wrist he pointed to the bracelet. "He made the offer and put the bracelet on your wrist. Every hotel in this town has cameras in the hallways. It's on tape. I can nail him."
"Have you lost your mind!" she shrieked. "I was dressed like a hooker. He'd say I took the bracelet and ran because I was ripping him off. And…"
"And what?"
"And…I wasn't alone when I went there." She cringed, knowing it was going to upset him. "I called Nick and told him everything. He was devastated. He couldn't believe his brother could be such a lying, cheating bastard. We um…conducted a little sting operation…that's what Nick called it. After I took the bracelet, Nick stepped out from the shadows and confronted Drew. He's there right now…handling things."
His shoulders slumping, Greg berated himself, "Right…you couldn't call me because I was too busy letting Becca feel me up while I was playing out some juvenile revenge. Great…just great. Could I feel like more of an idiot…no! I should have been here. I should have been the one defending your honor. Did you tell Nick why I wasn't here to defend you myself?"
Vehemently shaking her head she replied, "I told him you were out meeting an old friend from college who was looking to relocate to Vegas. Then I said I tried to call but you didn't answer and I didn't remember where you said you'd be having dinner."
"Thank you for that." After pecking her lips he dashed out of the bedroom he had an even stronger urge to rush to the hotel. "I love you!"
"Greg! I didn't call Nick to defend my honor. I called because…because Carrie once told me that Nick idolized his big brother growing up and wanted to show him Drew's anything but someone to worship." Tawny followed Greg, grabbing his hand and yanking him from the door. "Please! Don't go there!"
"Why? Because you know I'll end up getting my ass kicked by Nick's jock brother? Because you already got a better man to handle things?" Grabbing his keys he said, "Even though those things are true, I'm going anyway."
"No, I don't want you to go because…" Tearfully she confessed, "Because I'm humiliated already and it will only get worse if you go there. I'm afraid he'll say things about me…true things…things that will make you regret the choice you made tonight." Releasing his hand she wiped her tears. "The truth is, Greg…if I hadn't met you and fallen in love with you…if you hadn't shown me that I could go back to school and clean up my act..." Lowering her eyes to the floor she admitted, "…I probably would have accepted Drew's offer tonight because I was so tired of dancing and waiting for a dream that I thought would never happen. The truth is…he wasn't asking me to do anything I hadn't already done with him for free. He was giving me an honest reality check and at the time, I think I would have decided that for a girl like me, it was a real good offer." Pleading with her eyes she whispered, "Please don't go to the hotel."
Finally getting it, Greg dropped his keys and grabbed Tawny's hand, pulling her to his chest. "Don't feel bad, Princess. The truth is, if I hadn't met you when I did and fallen in love with you…I would have bought Becca's act and slept with her tonight only to get my heart broken after Labor Day. At least in your scenario, you would have had a bracelet and cash to show in return for getting screwed. I would only have the humiliation. So much for me being a genius, huh?" Tenderly he kissed the top of her head and cuddled her tight. "The bottom line is…our stories aren't that different when you really think about it. Drew wanted sex and offered cash. Becca wanted to play with my head so she offered to fulfill my high school fantasy. They're both heartless manipulative users and you and I have track records of thinking too little of ourselves and letting people take advantage of us. And you're absolutely right…there's no point in me going to the hotel and wasting a second of our life on that asshole." Cupping her face he placed a tender kiss on her lips.
Smiling through her tears Tawny remarked, "Nice spin. I think Dr. Myers would like it."
"It's true." He brushed her damp hair from her face, softly cupping her cheeks. "Luckily we found and saved each other from them and ourselves."
"Just in the nick of time."
Boulevard Station
Sergeant's Desk
11:18 p.m.
Jim Brass's blood pressure continued to rise as he stood listening to the Sergeant. The more he heard the more he doubted he could get Nick out of the mess. The Tempest's hotel manager was insisting on formal charges; he had two security guys for witnesses; physical evidence to show there was a brawl…it was FUBAR. Saying it was a domestic dispute between brothers wasn't going to help because Nick would still appear violent and Jim knew the general public didn't like violent people who beat their own brothers, carrying guns and flitting about town on police business. "He hasn't said anything?" Brass prodded.
"Not a word."
It was the first good news Jim had heard since he received the phone call in the middle of his late night dinner with Heather. "And the brother?"
"He said it's all him. That Nick was just defending himself," the Sergeant laughed, "but the brother's got a broken nose and bloody clothes too, so I'm less inclined to believe that Nick is innocent."
"Nice speculation…we generally frown upon that in the crime lab." Brass gave his best sarcastic chuckle. "Here's another one we like to uphold…innocent until proven guilty. You might want to grab a pen and jot that one down for future use."
Ignoring the quip the sergeant said, "You want me to take you to them now?"
"Give me some time to make a phone call." Brass grabbed his cell thinking, Carrie is going to flip when she gets here but, we need a legal opinion.
Boulevard Station
Overflow Holding Cells
11:24 p.m.
"Nicky!" Drew shouted as he gripped the bars. "Would you work with me here? We have to get the story straight before your boss comes." For the last ten minutes Nick had been leaning in the corner of the cell with his back to him. Only five feet from him across the hall, Drew decided to take off his shoe and launch it at his stubborn brother's body. "Nicky! Get in the game!"
When the shoe made contact Nick bristled and half-heartedly replied, "Yeah…okay."
"Finally!"
"Andy…"
"What?" he said, hoping his brother had wised up.
In a distant voice he declared, "I…I can't finish the game."
"Wh…" Shaking his head Drew said, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Did I walk off the field?"
Massaging his temples Drew groaned, "Seriously, I'm losing my patience."
"Did I walk off…or…"
Drew laughed. "Oh, I get it…you're going for an insanity defense. I don't see how that's going to help your career though, Bro."
"I…I wanted to finish…"
"Nicky, there's nobody here but me and I know you're not crazy." Seeing his brother's shoulders heaving Drew said, "Good Lord, are you crying? Shit…you know what you are…you're a woman trapped in a man's body, that's what you are."
"I…" Nick gripped the bars and slowly turned to face his brother. "I'm sorry, Andy."
"Oh shit!" Drew screamed as he saw his brother's face was drained of color and his body drenched in sweat.
"I'm weak…" His knees gave out and he slipped down the bars. "I'm sorry."
"Call 911! We need an ambulance!" Knowing the symptoms of shock when he saw them, Drew shouted at the top of his lungs hoping someone would hear. "Help! Now! Call 911!" When he heard someone coming he dropped to his knees and pleaded, "Nicky! Look at me!" Fear gripped him when he saw his brother losing consciousness. "Look at me! I'm over here. Hang with me, Nicky. You're still in the game! Let's talk strategy. Let's go over the next play. Talk to me!"
Instead of replying, Nick fell backwards gasping for air.
The Townhouse
11:27 p.m.
Panting from the intensity burning between them as they fumbled to remove each other's clothes in bed, Greg nervously admitted, "I'm so overexcited that I'm scared I'm going to forget and get carried away. I have a history of doing that sort of thing with you."
"Really?" Giggling, she smoothed her hand over her bare belly. "Don't worry, Baby…I won't forget." Curling her fingers around the waistband of his boxers her desire fired as she thought of Becca doing the same hours earlier then getting denied.
"Are you sure you don't want me to shower?" he shyly asked as Tawny tossed his boxers. Suddenly he was feeling guilty that Becca's epithelials were coating his Johnson.
"No." With a puckish glint in her eyes she replied, "At the risk of sounding like a twisted freak, I'll confess that it's turning me on to know her hands were on you and you denied her. Actually…it gets me a little hotter every time I think about it. Do you want to see what I mean?" While dangling her diamond-covered wrist over Greg's body Tawny seductively asked, "Do you want me to take this off because it makes you uncomfortable, or will it give you a rush seeing it on me in bed?" Running her hand down her body she murmured, "Every time you see it on me you'll be reminded that, what another man was willing to pay ten grand a day for…I give you for free because I love you and think you rock my world in bed."
"Whoa…" Pulling her close he hungrily kissed her. "…keep it on." The next kiss was even more possessive. "Definitely keep it on."
"Get as intense as you want on the outside but, remember…you'll need to chill before making your big move." As he trailed heated kisses down her body she giggled uncontrollably, imagining Becca home in bed with a synthetic man and Drew watching hotel room porn with Pamela Handerson. It served them both right, she thought as Greg worshipped her body and she worshipped him for deeming her priceless. "Mmm…" She wanted him to know he was hitting the mark. "Becca only got a glimpse of what she was missing out on, Baby. If she knew how fantastic you make a woman feel, she'd really be kicking herself."
Boulevard Station
Sergeant's Desk
11:29 p.m.
"Faster!" Jim barked Brass barked at the Mezzer who was fumbling with the controls. "Open the damn cell already!"
"Ambulance is on its way!" Garcia announced while rushing down the hall. "I got the First Aid kit too."
From across the way Drew shouted, "He's bleeding internally! That kit's not gonna help. Get some blankets! Make sure he's breathing! God damn it, get me out of here and let me help him. I was pre-med and worked as an EMT in college!"
"Get him out!" Brass ordered as he watched in horror at Nick shaking uncontrollably.
Once free from the cell Drew rushed to his brother's side. "You hang in here for me, Nicky. Do you hear me!"
Fading in and out of consciousness his eyelids fluttered. "An…"
"I'm right here." With two fingers pressed into his brother's neck, Andy began taking a pulse.
When he saw the Sergeant in the hall Brass yelled, "Call all hands on deck to block the roads. It's raining and the streets are a mess. I want that ambulance to have a clear shot to the University Trauma Center at eighty miles an hour without slowing at the lights."
"That's an abuse of your power."
"What's the point of having power if you don't abuse it every once in while? Then you'd only have the shit that came with the big title." Grabbing the radio from the sergeant's belt he ordered, "You make that call and you do it to save your own ass. If he dies here because your men didn't check on him when they knew he was assaulted, the shit will hit the fan and all of it will end up on you. If I'm not enough of a threat then how's this for a vice grip on your balls…his daddy is a judge on the Supreme Court of Texas, so I'm thinking he probably knows a negligence case when he sees it. Make the call!"
Running down the hall the Sergeant shouted into the radio, doing as ordered.
Andy gently lifted Nick's shirt and carefully probed the area. "I knew it. He's got broken ribs."
"Hurts," Nick whimpered as his brother removed his hands.
"I know it does and we're gonna get someone to fix that for you." Then Andy informed Brass, "Left lower ribs…could have injured his spleen or kidney…or both." The feel of his brother's clammy skin made him check his watch. "It happened about ten thirty." His heart sank. "Dammit…that's an hour he's been bleeding."
Brass took one look at the horrific bruising and glared at Drew. "You did that to your own brother? My god…my brother and I hate each other but I'd never do that to him. What kind of animal are you?" He felt his blood pressure jump another notch.
"I didn't do this!" Drew snapped back as he took the blankets from the returning officer. "Shit! Everything in here is nailed down so there's nothing to elevate his feet. Someone needs to hold them."
Brass quickly assumed the role. "Answer me. If you didn't do this then who did?"
"Lift them a little higher…twelve inches minimum," he instructed before answering the question. "Yeah, I fought him but security did this when they were taking us out of the hotel." Placing a second blanket over his brother he prodded, "Stay with me, Nicky. Help's on the way."
"Tired."
"You can't sleep in the middle of the game, Bro!" Watching him fade away, Drew checked his pulse again then told Jim, "Two goons had us in the service elevator…they roughed us up. I kept asking him if he was okay because one of bastards stomped him hard with Doc Martens." Swallowing his shame Drew placed his hand on Nick's cool, pale forehead. "But I should have known you'd never admit you were suffering in front of me even if you were…" He gulped at the memories associated with the phrase. "…even if you were dying on the inside." Realizing that's exactly what his brother was doing, Drew tucked the blankets a little tighter and knelt down to coach directly into his ear, "You need to stay in the game. Do you hear me? Stay tough."
"An…"
"I'm right here." He squeezed his brother's hand. "I'm not leaving you. I'm really proud of you, Nicky. You played some great ball today. Are you hearin' me?"
A sudden realization hitting him, Brass grabbed his camera phone and snapped a few photos of Nick's contusion. "Mezzer! Grab that shoe in the hall and bag it for me, will you and then take the one he's still wearing. We're going to need to prove those shoes don't match this bruise." He realized Drew was so busy pumping positive thoughts into Nick's ear, he didn't even know his ass was being saved. "You listen to your brother and stay in this game," Brass yelled as he put the phone away.
"You hear that, Bro? That's your coach talking." He hated feeling so helpless but since Nick needed an IV, blood and measures to stop the internal bleeding, there was nothing more he could do.
When Brass heard a woman's shrieks from down the hall, he remembered that he had called Carrie to come to the police station and help him deal with the situation, hoping her DA connection might help. "Garcia! Take his feet for me!" As soon as the officer took over Brass jumped up and raced out of the cell.
"Where is he!" Carrie screamed as she ran past the officers lining the hall. When she walked into the station nothing could have prepared her for what the officers told her when she said she was meeting Jim Brass to see Nick Stokes.
"Carrie…" Jim caught her in his arms. "Listen to me…the ambulance is on its way and it's going to be okay."
"Let me go!" She fought to break loose.
Jim complied, hoping her voice would help Nick stay roused.
At the cell's entrance she gasped from Nick's deathly appearance. "Is he…"
"He's breathing and his pulse is weak but holding," Andy informed her. "He fading in and out and very confused. Confusion is a symptom of shock… he thinks he's back in school playing ball."
Trembling, she knelt before her fiancé and caressed his pale, damp skin with her fingertips. "I'm here, Honey. It's Carrie." Bending down she kissed his battered cheek, the lack of heat in his flesh sending a shiver through her. "You're going to be fine." She gulped down her fears and fronted strength. "Help is on the way. Do you hear me, Sweetie? It's Carrie."
Forcing his eyes open Nick whispered, "Carr…"
"I'm right here." With a loving smile on her face, she gently smoothed her palm over his drenched hair. "I love you, Nicky." After a kiss to his lips she soothed, "I'm not scared…no…because I know you'll fight with everything you've got to stay with me. You promised. Don't you get scared either…this is just like last night…it seems frightening when it's happening, but it will all turn out okay. Do you hear me, Honey?" Watching his eyes roll back she covered her mouth with both hands to block her scream.
Just then Jim heard the paramedics. "Everybody move and let these guys in to work." He pulled Carrie to her feet and clutched her tight as he moved her to the rear of the cell. "You did great, Sweetheart. He knows you're here."
Glaring at Andy she screamed, "I can't believe you did this to him! I knew you were a bastard from what he told me you used to do to him as a kid, but this…my god…" She turned to Jim. "He survives a stranger's attack last night and then his brother comes to town and beats him within an inch of his life?"
"Shh…shh," Brass pleaded. "There's more to the story than I knew when I called you and this isn't helping because he needs to give details to the EMTs."
Andy relayed pertinent information until eventually he had to ask, "Carrie! Is he taking any medications?"
After Jim shook her gently and repeated the question Carrie answered, "Motrin and antibiotics for the gunshot wound." In horror Carrie watched the men work on Nick's lifeless body. "I don't understand, Jim…" Her tears finally came. "Tawny called…she and Greg needed help moving some furniture. He kissed me goodbye and said he'd be back in couple of hours and then…" Her gaze turned to Andy once more. "Then he called the house inviting us out to dinner tomorrow. That was at ten. How did this happen? How did Nick go from helping Tawny and Greg at nine and not being with Andy at ten to…this nightmare?" The words of the EMT grabbed her attention.
"Heart rate's tachy and BP's dropping. Let's move! We'll finish en route." As they mobilized, the lead EMT shouted, "Rodriguez, call ahead and make sure they've got some units of O lined up at Trauma."
Carrie buried her face in Jim's chest. "Please wake me up."
"I wish I could, Sweetheart." Closing his eyes, Jim clutched her trembling body. "I wish I could."
The Townhouse
11:40 p.m.
Frustrated with the uber-cautious approach they both agreed they should take this first time Tawny whimpered, "Ooh…I wish we could…"
"No…no, this is perfect," Greg murmured as they lay side by side clasping each other tight. "Everything matches the pace. A gentle rain outside…the delicate light of a candle illuminating the room…soft music filling the air around us."
"Mmm…" Gazing into her lover's eyes she sighed, "When you put it that way."
Grazing the tip of his nose over hers Greg whispered, "Every move is soooo slow…and perfect…just like our fit." The kiss he lingered over her lips matched the tempo. "An easy groove…an eskimo kiss…" At a snail's pace he swirled his fingertips up the inside of her thigh. "I just thought of something else I can do slowly." Grinning he moved to nibble her neck. "For some strange reason, all this slow talk is suddenly making things happen faster for me."
"Wait for me!"
"It's been a while…I'm out of practice…and it's been a really trying day." On a jagged exhale he urged. "Sweetie, you need to get there quick."
"Ooh, not yet!"
In humorous frustration he pointed out, "You do remember I already generously helped you win a solo race tonight so technically I'm way behind and…"
"Stop talking!" She tried not to laugh and remain focused.
"Talking delays me."
"Yeah, but when you're not saying the right thing it delays me too and then I don't catch up."
Breaking into a full laugh he urged, "Maybe you should drop out of the race gracefully since you already..."
"No way!" She shook with laughter as her finish line grew distant and Greg more frustrated.
An earnest ten seconds of trying later, Greg moaned the bad news in Tawny's ear. "Sorry, Princess…the race is…" After a temporary loss of speech function he completed his thought, "…over."
University Trauma Center
11:52 p.m.
Carrie, Jim and Andy rushed through the ER entrance and made a beeline for the information desk.
"We're here for Nick Stokes," Jim authoritatively announced, "…he was just brought in by ambulance."
After glancing at her computer, the clerk at the desk pointed to the guard at the Trauma entrance. "He'll show you to the waiting area but I need to give you a badge and only family is allowed back so, tell me who you are."
One by one they raised their hands and stated their relation.
"Carrie Blake, Fiancée."
"Drew Stokes, Brother."
"Uncle Jimmy."
Even though she was a little suspicious about the supposed brother, the desk clerk handed over three badges and waved on the trio.
The Tempest
11:53 p.m.
Catherine, Jas and Detective Pena, the newest detective in the department, hurried into the hotel lobby followed by four police officers.
Since the detective was green and she was tense, Catherine took the lead. "Willows…LVPD Crime Lab, I need the manager ASAP."
"What's going on?" the desk clerk, a twenty-something blonde who didn't expect to be dealing with cops, nervously asked.
She barked back, "Does it say manager on your name tag, Tina? Move it!"
Jas and the detective jumped back and Pena remarked, "I uh…thought I was supposed to establish our presence?"
"You were taking too long." Catherine marched forward looking for security personnel that matched the descriptions relayed by Drew to Brass and then to her.
"What's going on?" the night manager, Mr. Blane, a forty-two year old with a disdain for cops, demanded. "You can't come in here screaming. I want to see some…"
"Hold that thought." Catherine then turned to Jas and Detective Pena with a way to get rid of them. "Find the service elevator closest to room 1411 and shut it down."
Both intimidated, they scurried off to do as told.
Blane's gaze narrowed as he said, "I don't care who you are…"
"You should," she advised while shooting daggers. "Because not only am I a Forensic Investigator who's going to nail your people to the wall…I'm Sam Braun's daughter. So, Blane, now that you've just realized you're my personal slave…get ready to do my bidding. From here on out, I say jump and you say how high. I want access to the surveillance tapes for the 14th floor and the service elevators. While I'm reviewing those I want you to track down Brutus and Lenny and hold them in your office." Waving over the two officers standing at the entrance Catherine snapped at Blane, "I'm pissed off, I'm worried about my friend, and I'm PMSing…so don't mess with me tonight. Officer Cortez will escort you on your goon search. Officer Sterling will review the tapes with me." Ticked the man was still standing gaped-mouthed in front of her she yelled, "Don't just stand there, Blane. Jump!"
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
11:57 p.m.
When Jillian heard the knock on the door she realized she had fallen asleep on the couch watching TV. After a quick check of her watch she panicked, wondering who would be knocking loudly on the door at this hour.
In silence she padded to the door and peered through the peephole. "Gil?" She thought it highly unusual for him to be calling so late.
"Jillian, could you open the door?" When she did, he decided there was no point in sugar coating it. "I'm sorry to tell you that Nick's in the ER. Carrie and his brother are with him. Jim Brass called on the way to the hospital and asked me to come and get you."
"Dear God." She flew into a panic. Carrie had told her she was going to help Nick at Greg and Tawny's. "Was he in a car accident? How serious is it?"
"No, he wasn't in a car accident." The terror in her eyes unnerving him he simply said, "Get whatever you need and I'll tell you what I know on the way to the hospital."
University Trauma Center
11:59 p.m.
Upon arrival in Trauma Room 2, the Chief Attending ER Physician, Ginny Bowers, dictated the game plan to the Trauma Team. "Airway's good. We're set with two large-bore lines. Connie…get that O on the rapid infuser, then I want this room warmer. Patti…push another bolus, then prep him. Jake…check vitals and update the OR. Paula…you know the drill…type and cross, CBC, and Chem 7, then I want a Foley to check output volume and presence of blood. We'll do a FAST exam because he's too unstable for a CT. We're in time, but let's not waste any. Run with it people!"
Author's Notes:
By now I hope you know my writing well enough to know that the impact of Nick's trauma on everyone around him is the real story and I didn't just hurt him for the hell of it LOL. Look for a lot to come out of this that will impact many people and set other storylines in motion (besides the obvious NC, GT, GS and Stokes family), Cath & Warrick with Lindsay, Ron & Lina, Sean & Ryan as brothers, Paul & Wendy, Brass/LH/Ellie, Sofia & Irving and even….Mike Rodgers.
Even though there is a stressful situation at hand and there will be tears, lots will be tears of joy and there will be laughter of both the nervous-tension induced variety and from having fun. This is the biggest hill in the rollercoaster to date and I hope you enjoy the ride it produces.
Thanks to Misty J and Rojaji for leaving reviews!
Creative input thank yous for this and upcoming chapters…to my husband for the male point of view, to KJT for her input on the Cath/Sam Braun storyline, to my neighbor who is a critical care nurse, and to EyerishEyes who is my maximum security prison expert! You're all helping make the story stronger.
Next Chapter: while Nick's in surgery, tensions rise at the hospital, The Tempest and the Crime Lab. There's flashback backstory that gives a glimpse of one character's old life, and if you're a fan of a certain couple…you won't want to miss the last scene. Posting: late night Thursday.
Thanks for reading!
Maggs