Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 9
August 30, 2005
University Trauma Center
12:20 a.m.
Pacing the open waiting area at the end of the trauma wing, Carrie watched the minutes tick by. "I don't understand why there hasn't been another update."
Jim peered down the hall and flagged a nurse. "We really need to hear something on Stokes, ASAP." When he saw the nurse hold up her index finger he nodded. "Hang in there, Honey. The nurse said she'll be right here."
"Carrie! How is he!" Jillian frantically asked from the hall as she hurried towards the waiting area with Gil on her heels. "On the way over Gil told me what he knew, but how is Nicky since he arrived here?"
The two women met in a bear hug and Carrie tearfully said, "They told us he was holding up but, we haven't heard anything for fifteen minutes. They're trying to stabilize him before sending him to surgery."
"Okay." Jillian breathed deep. "Thank God his daddy's boat docked in L.A. today. He's on his way to the airport to take the first flight here."
In the corner of the room Drew sat in a daze. In all the drama he only just now realized he was missing his shoes. The thought of shoes brought back the vivid memory of the security guy stomping down on Nick's chest and then grabbing Nick by the shirt and slamming his face into the wall. "Are you sure your people are heading to the hotel, Jim?" he asked in a weak voice. "I want that bastard to pay for what he did to my brother."
"Don't you worry about that…they'll pay." Jim stuffed his hands in his pockets and said, "But help me out here…I'm baffled by how Nick could suffer like that for an hour without saying a word."
Stepping back from Jillian's embrace Carrie filled in the blank. "It's not baffling to me, Jim. Nick didn't say anything because he didn't want to look weak in front of his domineering big brother. Isn't that right, Andy? I wasn't even there and I know it's true because I know the twisted shit you used to do to him when you were on one of your testosterone highs. Admit it! Admit that Nick has a high pain tolerance because you conditioned him to have one by abusing him mentally and physically under the guise of making him tougher!"
Jim and Gil faded to the sides of the room while Jillian stood stunned by Carrie's tirade and her son's guilty expression.
"I can't hear you, Andy!" Carrie barked. "Nick was too ashamed to say he was hurt in front of you because he knew you'd bust him about it until the day he died, which better not be today for your sake. Sure, that hotel security guy may be the one who did the damage but that's just part of this equation. You're just as culpable. Admit it, you coward! Admit what you used to do to him when your mom wasn't home and the nanny was looking the other way. Your family hired some pretty shitty caregivers over the years and you exploited every opportunity. You're sick you know that!" She lunged forward. "Sick!"
Before Jim could grab her, Carrie was in Andy's face slapping him. "Carrie…Carrie you have to pull it together and stay in control in case Nick needs you. Come with me."
Standing in the middle of the waiting area Jillian was lost. "Andy…" She stared in disbelief at his broken nose and guilty eyes. "My God…what happened between Nicky and you tonight?"
One look at his mother and Drew, a man with a reputation for being strong and unemotional at all times, started to crumble. "I'm sorry, Mama. Carrie's right. I didn't crack his ribs but…the other stuff she said…"
Jim had Carrie off in the corner coaching her to slowly breathe her way back in control while Gil stood in the opposite corner slipping deeper into observation mode as his discomfort with the emotional atmosphere grew. Clearly there was more to the story. He saw it building in Andy's eyes…but what exactly?
"Why?" Jillian asked her son.
"It started as kid stuff but then…" Drew answered in a guilt-induced ramble, "When Nicky was nine, Daddy thought he was clingin' to you too much and cryin' too easy…he thought Nicky was becoming a Mama's boy and decided it had to stop. He charged me with toughening him up. I did what I was told…to this day I never stopped and sometimes in the past, I took it too far, but only because I wanted him to be tougher and stronger."
"Good Lord."
"It worked and Dad told me he was pleased with Nicky's progress, that's why I kept doing it. Look how far he came…you know he was horrible on the field when he was younger but he went on to make first string in high school and then play Aggie ball. You know how proud Dad and I were of him…and he was proud of himself." Then he saw his future sister-in-law wiping her tears. "But Carrie's right…I did shame him into not looking weak...that's why he didn't want to say he wouldn't admit he was hurting in front of me…I'm sorry, Mama." Unable to look at her any longer he buried his head in his hands. "I'm really sorry."
With her hand over her mouth Jillian realized the timing her son was referring to coincided with Shelly's assault. As the cut in her heart tore a little deeper Jillian sadly remarked, "We all let him down…not one of us took the time to step back and figure out why he was so out of sorts."
"Doctor's here!" Jim announced, snapping everyone back to the moment…except Andy, who was paralyzed by guilt.
From his invisible position in the room, Grissom desperately tried to assess the situation from the doctor's expression but unfortunately he saw no tells on her face.
"I'm Doctor Ginny Bowers, Chief Attending ER Physician, I treated Mr. Stokes," she announced to the group forming around her. "With whom am I speaking to?"
Carrie and Jillian gripped each other's hands and simultaneously replied…
"His fiancée."
"His mother."
"Okay." The doctor faced the correct parties. "When we sent him to the OR he was stable…another five minutes to get here and I'm quite certain I'd be delivering another message."
Jim exhaled sharply, glad he hadn't delayed getting to the station and once there, pushed for the no-holds-barred road closure.
Jillian and Carrie hugged each other, relieved that Nick was still with them and then returned their attention to the doctor.
The doctor began, "I sometimes start out in layman's terms but slip into medical jargon so, stop me if you don't understand something."
"Gil…" Carrie called out. "Can you come here and listen too since you speak the same language?"
"Uh…sure." He left his safe corner spot and joined the two women.
"The blunt trauma to the abdomen fractured the 10th and 11th ribs." The doctor pointed to the corresponding spot on her body. "The spleen is normally protected by those ribs but, when they cracked they were driven into the spleen, which perforated it, causing a major devascularization."
Gil translated without being asked. "Loss of blood supply to the organ due to the destruction of blood vessels. The spleen is the most vascular organ in the body."
The doctor nodded in appreciation. "The rupture of the spleen caused severe internal bleeding and consequently, hemorrhagic shock. When he arrived we estimate Mr. Stokes had already lost a little over thirty percent of his blood supply. It takes over forty for permanent organ damage to occur and because he is in excellent shape with no existing medical conditions I'm not very concerned."
Carrie and Jillian looked to Gil for a second opinion and when they saw him nod they relaxed and readied for more.
"After administering IV fluids and two units of blood, his vitals were holding but not improving. The tests we conducted confirmed our suspicions that his spleen was the major source of the bleed. Because there was no improvement in his condition, we had to rule out non-operative management options and refer him to the OR for immediate surgical measures."
Jillian nervously asked, "How complicated of a surgery is it?"
The doctor calmly replied, "We rank the severity of splenic injury on a scale of one to five with five being the most severe, this injury rated a four. With a grade four injury, there is an excellent chance the surgeons can salvage the spleen by repairing the damage, what we call splenorrhaphy, but depending on what they find when they open him up…a removal, or splenectomy, is also a possibility, which increases the possibility of post-op infection, particularly sepsis. In a healthy patient there is only a small risk associated with this surgery, but of course I am obligated to tell you that any surgical procedure carries associated risks, one of which is death. Once again, Mr. Stokes is in excellent health so, I would encourage you to remain very optimistic."
"Definitely," Carrie replied, convincing herself by saying it out loud. "Are there any future ramifications if he does lose his spleen?"
"A person can live a normal life without their spleen but since it does help in the fight against certain infections, it's always best to preserve it when possible. If his spleen is removed, Mr. Stokes will need to take antibiotics for the rest of his life, receive the Pneumovax vaccine and be very careful about where he vacations so he can avoid exposure to diseases like malaria."
Feeling a marked degree of relief for the first time Carrie smiled through her fright. "I don't care if we can't go on an African safari because of the malaria risk."
From behind Jim lightly gripped Carrie's shoulders and gave them a squeeze. "I wouldn't approve that much time off anyway."
Gil sweetly added, "And from what I heard you had a wonderful time in Flagstaff so why leave the continent?"
The doctor smiled approvingly. "I always say, never underestimate the power of positive thinking. With no complications he could be in the recovery room in as little as two hours but, depending on the amount of repair work, it could be close to four or longer. You'll want to proceed to the OR waiting room. Take the elevator to the fourth floor and follow the signs. The clerk there will receive a phone call as soon as Mr. Stokes is out of the OR and you'll be notified."
"Thank you, Doctor," Jillian said on behalf of the group.
"I'm very encouraged," Gil announced after blowing out a breath.
Jim nodded. "Nick's a fighter. I have no doubt he'll pull through surgery with flying colors."
"I feel it too." Carrie threw her arms around Jim. "You're my hero. If you weren't there he would have…"
"Hey! Don't go there, Blake." He chuckled, "But feel free to go on a little more about me being a hero…my ego can never hear enough of that." He squeezed her tight and whispered, "Nick's like the son I dreamed of but didn't deserve. I'll always take care of him."
"Okay…" Jillian steadied her breathing. "Now that I can think straight, I'd like to get some coffee, head to the OR waiting room and review the chain of events leading up to this because to say I'm confused is an understatement."
"I'm right there with you," Carrie eyed Andy suspiciously. "I have a lot of unanswered questions."
Gil checked his watch and said, "I've not told Sara about this so if you don't mind I'd like to go see her and break the news in person. I'm sure she'll want to join you here for the wait."
"I'd like that." Carrie gave a slight smile. "I need to call my brother and get him here too."
"Oh, I called Greg and Tawny as we arrived at the hospital," Gil informed her. "They're on their way. Hopefully they can fill in some of your blanks because Tawny had something to say but I had to cut her off because cell phones aren't allowed on in the ER."
"Hmm…" Jim commented as he watched Drew's reaction to the mention of Tawny's name and thought of what Carrie said earlier, that Nick was helping Tawny and Greg prior to the incident. "I'll get the coffee and meet you in the OR waiting room. Drew, you need to stick with me because you were released into my custody."
The Tempest
12:36 a.m.
When she received the news that Brutus and Lenny were in Blane's office being guarded by two police officers, Catherine breathed a sigh of relief. "Jas!"
"Yeah?" She popped out of the service elevator pulling off her gloves.
"I don't want you to miss the fun part." Catherine tossed a nod in the direction of Officer Lutz. "No one gets in that elevator."
"Mugs!" Sam Braun called from down the hall while ripping open his bowtie. "What the hell is going on?"
Catherine turned to Jas and winked. "Can you grab my kit for me and meet me at Blane's office? Thanks."
Once the girl was gone Sam heatedly whispered, "Why didn't you call me?"
"That would be interference."
"Speaking of…I thought you can't process cases related to me because I'm your father?"
Holding up her ungloved hands she smiled. "I'm not processing. I'm just watching. Speaking of watching…" Shaking her head she informed him, "I saw the video of your goons assaulting hotel patrons in the service elevator."
Coolly, he countered, "You mean the hotel patrons who were busting up each other and one of my deluxe suites while disturbing other high profile guests?"
"They weren't busting up each other or your suite when they were in the service elevator and Sam…one of those patrons is my friend and a fellow CSI…Nick Stokes." Her voice cracked, "He's at the University Trauma Center fighting for his life and he better win."
University Trauma Center
12:45 a.m.
Brass tossed a pair of hospital slippers he had pilfered from the nurse's station to Drew. "They're not your color, but they'll do until your shoes are released from evidence."
"Thanks." Dropping them on the floor he mindlessly stepped into them.
"You wanna get your nose looked at?" Dried blood caked his face and the skin around his eyes was puffed and colored a deep red.
"It's broken. It's been broken twice before. I'll deal with it later." His eyes drifted to the clock on the wall. Time was standing still. "I don't want to be held up in the ER. I want to be around when word on Nicky comes in."
"You want something for the pain?"
"No."
"Because you're too tough?"
"Because my brother is fighting for his life and a pain in my nose seems trivial."
"Okay." Jim picked up the tray of coffee and resumed walking to the elevator. "I'm anxious to get back and see if Tawny is there yet," he remarked as he pressed the UP button. "Tawny…she's a good friend of Carrie's. I think it will help having her there." Glancing up at Drew, Jim asked his first leading question, "Do you think it will help matters to have Tawny around, or do you think it will be uncomfortable? Wait, what I am saying…how would you know Tawny?"
Drew nodded. "You've been discussed over supper at my parent's ranch, Mr. Brass. Nicky respects you and has gushed to my father about your insight and performance in the interrogation room. Now I understand why." Andy stepped through the open elevator doors and leaned against the back wall. "Yes, I know Tawny. Now let's see what you surmise from this statement…I predict in the very near future, my mother, who never laid a hand on us as kids, will slap me senseless when she finds out how I know Tawny."
"The following has nothing to do with police business." Jim stopped the elevator. "When was the last time you slept with Tawny?"
"When I was out here on business after the Fourth of July holiday." He saw a reaction in the man's eyes. "Now's my turn to be curious. Why do you care?" Then it hit him. "Oh shit…you're her father and I'm about to get beaten in an elevator again, aren't I?"
"You'd make a lousy CSI," Brass informed him while rejoicing that Tawny hadn't cheated on Greg, not that he really believed she would. "If I were her father I wouldn't care when the last time you slept with her was, I'd just care that a married man with kids screwed my daughter. Also, I wouldn't have wasted my time getting you slippers because they would just make it difficult to fit you with a toe tag when I was done with you. Did I mention I'm from Jersey? Yeah…let's see if this question helps you figure out why I was asking. Did you use a condom when you slept with her?"
"Hell yeah, every time," he vehemently answered. "I met her in a strip club. Trust me, I wasn't taking any chances."
Knowing first hand it was a lot harder to raise another guy's kid when you knew who the other guy was, Jim breathed a sigh of relief and started the elevator.
"She's pregnant, isn't she?"
Brass nodded. "Still maintaining the same answer to the condom question?"
"Why?" His already overtaxed mind spun. "Is she saying it's mine?" With a racing heart he protested, "No way…it's not my baby. I always wore…"
"They're not your babies…she's having twins." Brass happily announced, "And thankfully Greg Sanders is the father." It was an interesting change…being grateful that Greg was the one who recklessly impregnated a girl.
"Nicky's co-worker, Greg? The one with the freak hair?"
Brass nodded. "It takes a guy with balls to wear his hair that way. Trust me…you don't want to piss off Sanders. He doesn't look like much of a threat, but he's an animal. Just last week we left him in a basement with a psycho and guess who was standing in the end?"
"Duly noted."
The elevator doors opened and the two men followed the signs to the OR waiting area in silence.
When they rounded the corner and walked into the large room, Jim spotted Greg and Tawny standing in the corner with Jillian and Carrie. "We're back," he announced, anxious to see Tawny's reaction and more importantly Greg's.
Because his mother didn't lunge for him Drew felt confident she didn't know the story yet.
"Andy!" Greg approached smiling and extending his hand. "Or is it Drew Stokes? Then again, Tawny told me when you're being sneaky you like to go by Drew McGregor, so I'm not really sure what to call you. Hmm, how about I just pick the first name that comes to mind?" Stuffing his hands over his chest he very calmly said, "That would be, Asshole."
Carrie and Jillian looked to Tawny for an explanation.
"I can't…" was all Tawny managed before dropping into the nearest chair. Feeling completely responsible for Nick's plight, she couldn't speak.
Jim immediately stepped in between the two men. "Greg…I'm sure I don't have to remind you that your file is flagged and you're attending Anger Management class for a reason."
"No worries, Jim." Greg remained relaxed. "I'm in control. I just want to introduce myself and get some things straight."
Brass gave a warning glare to Drew. "You're in my custody. Don't make a move."
He did as requested, standing still and silent.
"I'm Greg Sanders, I work for your brother. I'm also a close friend of his, and I'm Tawny's fiancé." The new title had automatically rolled off his tongue and he took it as a sign that his heart and mind were in sync. "I met Tawny in July right after she found out you were a scumbag who had been lying to her for months about being single when in reality you were cheating on your wife." Well aware that all eyes were on him Greg said, "And although I will remain in control for the sake of the people I care about in this room…people who are already very stressed, I want you to know I'm disgusted that you started this whole mess tonight when you decided to solicit Tawny for prostitution. Since I wasn't there, tell me what happened next…when Nick showed up at the hotel with Tawny to call you out on your degeneracy, did it piss you off? Is that what started the fight, Asshole?"
"Wh…" Carrie watched Tawny sniffle into a wad of tissues. "I…" Too overwhelmed she couldn't scrape up the words required to form a coherent thought.
"Andy?" Jillian asked in disbelief as she marched to face her son. "Tell me that's not true."
After a deep breath, which he believed might be his last, Drew replied, "I'm very sorry, Mama…I can't. Everything he's said is true."
The sharp sound of Jillian's palm striking her son's face filled the room.
Mandalay Bay
Presidential Suite
12:55 a.m.
Both unable to sleep, Sara and Lina had met up raiding the fridge at midnight. After grabbing some snacks and drinks they decided to watch a movie and agreed upon a chick flick. For Sara, the scene was bittersweet because it reminded her of her favorite foster mother who always had a sappy movie on the TV.
After searching the satellite directory, they saw a description for a movie called A Walk in the Clouds that sounded right… A man in search. A woman in need. A story of fate.
"The description of this movie reminded me of a few couples I know," Sara laughed. "But now that I've been watching it for a while, I've decided that the couple is more of a combo of people I know. The girl is definitely Tawny…pretty, pregnant, and panicking while hoping for a fairytale ending that she doesn't think she deserves. The guy is nothing like Greg though, he's totally Nick…intense, bound by the rules, and desperate to help a pretty little lady in need even if it means sacrificing his safety." Laughing she said, "It's unnerving thinking of Tawny Stokes versus Tawny Sanders."
Lina popped another peanut in her mouth and laughed with her. "I only just met your other friends yesterday at the party, but I can't imagine Carrie Sanders in a million years."
"Greg used to be hot for me," Sara blurted. "I can't believe I just told you that."
Wiping up the Diet Coke she just spat Lina confessed, "It's been a really long time since I was a silly girl talking about boys…I'm loving this."
"Can you imagine me as Sara Sanders?"
"It has a very nice ring."
"Ringing is what my ears would be doing if I lived with Greg."
Lina patted Sara on the knee. "What about Warrick Brown? Did you ever…"
"No." Sara chuckled at the thought. "Not that I didn't sneak every peek that I could in the locker room."
"He's so confident and calm," Lina commented. "I suppose that's why he works well with Catherine, because he doesn't try to steal her spotlight."
The Tempest
1:00 a.m.
In Mr. Blane's office, Catherine stood against the wall staring at the shoes Jas had requested the two security goons to display by taking them off and placing them 'soles up' on the manager's desk.
"You guys get a two for one discount?" Catherine asked since they were both wearing Doc Martens. "Okay, what are you going to do next, Jas?"
"Well…" After lowering her camera the petite woman replied, "I could talk about blood spatter and say things like there were remnants of blood in the service elevator that I believe will contain the vic's DNA, and that there was a partial bloody shoe print, and blah, blah, blah, etc., etc., etc.,…then eventually I'd tie all together to make my case but…" Walking over to the manager's security TV camera Jas announced, "…since I hear a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm just going to play the tape that shows Mr. Brutus Gambucci stomping on the helpless vic's chest, then grabbing him and bashing his face into the wall twice, and see what he has to say."
Catherine tapped Blane on the shoulder. "Got any candy for the movie?" Reaching in her pocket she pulled out a mint. "That's okay, I brought my own."
A minute later Brutus grunted, "I want a lawyer."
Sickened from seeing the crushing blow to Nick's body, Catherine motioned for the cops to handcuff the guilty party. "Bring Lenny too so Brutus isn't lonely."
University Trauma Center
OR Waiting Room
1:05 a.m.
With several surgeries in progress, the OR waiting room hosted multiple concerned families. Those family members, some who were weary from being there several hours, had been engaged in a variety of activities such as prayer, quiet conversation, crossword puzzles, and deep thought to help pass the time. And while those activities were slightly distracting their worried minds, once the Stokes family and friends arrived and a hefty slap was heard throughout the room, their attention quickly turned to the unfolding drama and time mercifully started to fly.
Her hand still stinging, Jillian continued to blast her son. "Andrew, which part of 'Thou Shalt Not' didn't you understand? And which part of 'I promise to love and respect you until death do us part' did you think meant you could cheat on your wife? And those are just the spiritual laws you've broken…when you solicited Tawny for prostitution…"
"Let's not do this here, Mama," Andy urged, realizing everyone in the room had focused their attention on them.
The OR desk clerk had seen drama's like this play out many times in the stressful waiting room and didn't feel the need to call security.
"Well, I'd love to chat somewhere else, Andrew," Jillian seethed, "…but, I need to stay here and see if your brother is going to make it out of surgery alive. I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience!"
The words tore through Tawny, who had her knees to her chest, curled up in a blue vinyl chair. "If I just hung up the phone instead of…"
"Drink this." Carrie handed her guilt-ridden friend a pointy paper cup full of cold water. "You need to calm down because stress isn't good for the babies." Kneeling before Tawny, Carrie tucked her hair behind her ears and smiled. "Sweetie, this isn't your fault." Reaching over she grabbed another clump of tissues. "This thing between Nick and Andy has been going on since they were kids and they've fought each other a bunch of times. The injury that put him here wasn't from Andy, it was from an out of control hotel security guy."
"But I asked Nick to go to the hotel with me," she countered in between jagged breaths.
"And it was the right thing to do," Carrie countered. "You shined light on the truth. That's the same thing Nick does for a living. Do you really think he would have wanted you to keep the secret, especially when it could hurt his nieces and nephew? No matter what the cost, the truth is always the best course of action."
"Okay." Glancing around she looked to see if Greg was on his way back from his mandated walk down the hall with Brass. "I just wish I hadn't been so stupid and hooked up with that pig in the first place..."
"How did you meet him, Tawny?" Carrie whispered while looking over her shoulder to confirm the ass-chewing in the corner was still taking place.
"At Tweeters," she sniffled. "It was only my second week working there…"
"Miss Kansas!" Benny, Entertainment Manager for Tweeters, called from the open door of the locker room. "You've got five minutes to take your assets to VIP Suite Two."
"Ugh!" Patrice tossed her eyeliner and burned an angry look at Tawny. "Benny, why the hell do you keep tossing her the big spenders? I'm the one with two kids to feed! I'm cursing the day she flew in here."
"Sorry, Honey…" he informed the mediocre dancer. "They keep requesting her."
"I'm really sorry, Patrice." Grabbing her lip gloss Tawny nervously said, "Benny, please tell me it's not the same Russian Mob Slob from last night? The guy made sick noises and disgusting comments the entire time…and he reeked. I was detoxing for an hour." The clientele at Club Paradise, while less wealthy, hadn't been half as gross. Tweeters, she was quickly realizing, catered to the highest rollers with lowest morals and she always preferred the shy guys desperate for affection, even if they didn't tip as big as the perverts. So, while girls usually looked to make the most money with the least effort, whenever Tawny felt really sorry for an obviously lonely guy, she liked to give him an overdose of the human touch he craved at a bargain rate. Perverts on the other hand, got the minimum she could get away with without getting busted while she hustled them for the most cash.
"Look here, Miss Kansas," Benny scolded. "You made enough in one night to pay your rent, so shut your pie hole. If you want to be treated like a lady, why the hell are you taking your clothes off for a living? I hear you get to keep your clothes on shoveling fries at McDonald's."
Bliss, the current queen of the house, laughed, "She works here because Mickey D's don't pay shit and at least here when you get greasy and cater to assholes, you make enough to pay the bills and then some. Ain't that right, Miss Kansas?"
"That's right." Smiling at Bliss, who had taken her under her wing, Tawny half-joked, "And it's only temporary because some day my prince will come walking through the door and take me away from all this."
"Yeah, okay." Benny laughed, "Until then, Cinderella, shake those golden tail feathers to VIP Two. You'll be pleasantly surprised because this one actually looks like a prince instead of a toad."
Tawny glanced up at Drew hanging his head while his mother continued to verbally assault him. "Carrie, you know how they say never judge a book by its cover?" Slouching in the chair she groaned, "Idiot that I was…I did."
With her gold robe cinched around her almost naked body, Tawny sauntered into VIP Two and was, as Benny predicted, pleasantly surprised. "Hi, Handsome," she greeted the Ken Doll dressed for a night on the town with Barbie. At six-three with sandy brown hair, stunning blue eyes and an athlete's body he had all the right stuff. "Enjoying the champagne?"
"It's swill, but I have a feeling I'll be able to overlook that now that you're here." Flashing a movie star smile he extended a glass. "Join me?"
"Love to." Licking her lips, she wrapped her fingers around the stem. "Do you want me to drink it or wear it, Baby?"
"Drink it, Sweetheart." He relaxed against the back of the gold vinyl couch. "On my lap."
"Then put your hands on the couch for me, Stud," she directed while sliding onto his thighs to sit, sip and size up her customer. "You're right…this champagne is swill. I can't believe they charge three hundred dollars a bottle for it in this room. You think they'd include a little something extra for that price, huh?" Demurely she let her robe slip off her right shoulder. "Is there some way I can make it up to you?"
"You're off to a fine start."
After setting down her empty glass Tawny temptingly played with the ends of her robe's belt. "Benny said you asked for me after you saw me dance."
"It was love at first sight." His eyes locked on her glittery lips. "I had to get to know you better."
"You want to know me, huh?" Slipping the robe off the other shoulder she coyly asked, "Who do you want me to be? Your old high school flame? I get that one a lot. Or do you want me to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Tex?"
"I want you to be my date later, Sugar." He winked. "I need a lucky lady standing next to me at my favorite craps table at the Bellagio because last night I didn't, and I lost a bundle."
Their eyes locked, she coolly informed him, "Sorry…I'm a dancer, not a hooker."
"Good, because my name's not Johnny."
"Ooh, that was smooth." Turning, she sat on his knees with her back to him and let the robe slip to her waist. "No peeking," she teased while gathering her hair and sliding slowly backwards onto his lap.
"You're pretty smooth yourself…your moves that is, because I can't touch your skin."
Resting against his muscular chest she teased, "You're dying to touch me."
"Hell, yes. I'd have to be dead not to want to." Peering over her shoulder he boldly admired her. "Babygirl, I told you I was smitten. I couldn't take my eyes off you when you were on stage. I didn't pay for this room to get a lap dance…I just wanted the opportunity to talk to you in private."
"Should I stop dancing then?"
"Absolutely not," he chuckled hard. "Now that I've had a taste I believe I must see it through."
Turning to straddle him she declared, "You're married."
"No, I'm divorced," he immediately corrected. "It's been a few months now."
Gripping his broad shoulders she giggled, "Did you play football?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said with pride. "Quarterback."
"Professional?" A professional athlete, unless he had a reputation for being a sick freak, always got a date and a notch on the locker room wall.
With a tinge of regret he admitted, "Could have, but didn't."
"Why didn't you?" Standing she dropped the robe completely and enjoyed his reaction.
"I went to medical school instead." He cleared his throat as she stepped up on the platform. "You have quite an athletic body yourself there, Darlin'."
"Thank you." She posed a bit then said, "What kind of doctor are you?"
"None…I switched and went into business."
With her back to him, she let him enjoy the rear view. "So tell me…" Tossing a seductive glance over her shoulder she purred, "…how's business, Baby?"
Reading her cue he reached into his pocket. "Excellent." Pulling out a money clip thick with cash and held it up, his grin cracking wider. "Are you interviewing me, Darlin'? Decidin' if I'm worthy?" Patting his lap he said, "I think you'll see I've got plenty to offer you."
"It's like a sorority here. I'm sure a good 'ol college boy like you knows how that works." Stepping off the platform she struck an alluring pose. "My sisters and I are very selective. We only date from certain fraternities…Celebrities, Professional Athletes and Sugar Daddies…no exceptions."
"I don't want to be your daddy, Darlin'." Drew returned his hands to the couch so she could return to his lap. "And you already know I didn't go Pro."
"So, are you famous?" she whispered in his ear while slinking onto his lap.
"For several things," he rasped as she broke into a steady groove.
"Mmm…" With her chest only an inch from his face, Tawny murmured, "Name one thing you're famous for, other than the obvious one beneath my hips."
Flashing a killer smile he replied, "I had the prize winning sow at the Dallas County Fair when I was ten. My 4H club even threw me a big party."
Not expecting the silly answer Tawny slipped out of her sultry dancer persona and cracked up. "Really! I was Miss Cavanaugh County when I fifteen! That's Kansas by the way. Ugh! I was in 4H for years but never had any prize winning livestock. I came close with a Lop-Eared Bunny once, but was edged out in the finals by Tippy Branson. Dang… she never let me hear the end of it either. My group did win a quilting contest one year though, but we only went out for ice cream at Dairy Queen to celebrate."
Drew sweetly laughed. "Yeah…what happened to the sexy vixen that was here a minute ago, Miss Cavanaugh County?"
"Oh shit." She covered her mouth realizing she had dropped her act in mid performance. "Sorry! Sorry for killing the mood. We can start over. Or I can grab another girl. Or you could have your money back, but that will really get me in hot water so I'd really appreciate you not doing that. Whatever you want…"
"I just want you to say yes to our date and promise me you'll show up as Miss Cavanaugh County, not the hussy you pretend to be when you're working." Gazing into her eyes he said, "I had a feeling there was a sweet Midwestern girl hiding behind the aggressive dancer exterior, that's why I had to get to know you."
"My working name is Glitter, but my real name's Tawny Cooper." Mesmerized by his blue eyes and his down-home charm she acquiesced, "Okay…I'll go out with you, but only because you're a Dallas County Fair celebrity. My shift ends at eleven and I'll need time to get ready."
"My limo will be waiting out front at eleven forty-five." Pulling out two c-notes he waved them at the bouncer in the far corner of the room before slipping them into Tawny's g-string. "I want a kiss to hold me over, Babygirl."
"You'll get bounced," she cautioned while pointing to Hugo the bouncer. "He's been known to send guys airborne when he chucks them out the door."
"I believe that will be a small price to pay for a taste of your no doubt delicious lips." With that he weaved his fingers in her hair and pressed his mouth to hers.
Twenty seconds later when he was being shown the door of the VIP room Tawny yelled, "What's your name, cowboy?"
"Drew McGregor!"
"It's Jillian's maiden name," Carrie explained. "That explains why you didn't make the connection when you met Nicky."
"And they look nothing alike except for their smiles." Tawny shook her head. "Ugh…can you believe I fell for that County Fair line?"
"Well…" Carrie smiled sweetly. "I've been known to swoon over a line or two from a Stokes boy myself so..." Taking a deep breath she once again bit back the urge to panic. "Keep talking, Tawny…it's helping you get things off your chest and it's distracting me from worrying about Nicky." When Tawny squeezed her hand Carrie asked, "What happened when the limo arrived?"
"Ms. Cooper, right this way." The limo driver tipped his hat.
"How did you know I'm Tawny Cooper?" she asked while smoothing her hands over her tight black dress.
"Mr. McGregor said to keep my eyes open for the most beautiful girl I ever saw." Smiling he opened the back door. "He's been counting the minutes."
Thrilled by the movie star treatment Tawny stepped inside the limo and when she saw Drew dangling a big blue ribbon she burst out laughing.
"I flew to Kansas and took it from Tippy Branson because as it turns out she used steroids on her bunny and it should have been disqualified." After kissing her cheek he said, "Congratulations. Would you like to go to the nearest Dairy Queen for a float or…" He grabbed the bottle of Cristal chilling in a silver bucket, "…we could enjoy this non-swill variety of bubbly."
"Dairy Queen for sure." Giggling she took the ribbon. "After that…cow tipping and, if you impress me, I'll let you take me parking at old man Henry's farm."
"Damn…I bet there were broken hearts all over Cavanaugh County when you lived there," Drew commented as he handed over a flute of champagne.
"A few," she flirtatiously replied in lieu of telling him her heart was the one with the deepest cracks.
Gazing into her eyes Drew soulfully whispered, "Promise you won't break my heart, Darlin'."
"Oh! You are such a scuz!" Tawny screamed in Drew's direction. "Don't break your heart! Don't break yours! I can't believe you said that! Now that I'm thinking about it, I bet you knew I was a County Fair Beauty Queen and said that stuff on purpose. There were so many things you said…ugh…you did, didn't you!"
Drew blew out a breath then answered, "Yes, I paid the bartender to tell me everything he knew about you but, Tawny…I did it because I really did want to…"
"I can't believe I didn't figure that out!"
The room went abuzz with gossip as the strangers appreciated the latest outburst.
"You have to be adopted!" Tawny screeched as she jumped from her chair. "Because your brother and your mom are two of the most decent people I've ever met!"
Drew took a step forward. "Tawny, I mean it when I say…"
"Don't!" Greg warned as he rushed over and protectively wrapped his arms around Tawny. "She's heard way too much of your BS already and don't insult her by saying you're sorry when we all know you're not. If you knew you were wrong, things wouldn't have come to blows with Nick. Got it? So save your breath."
Carrie stepped forward. "Greg...as much as I want you guys to stay, I don't think it's a good idea for Tawny to be around him and..."
"No, I want to stay. I just need to get away from him." Tawny glanced up at the clock. "How long has Nick been in surgery?"
"Ninety two minutes," Carrie answered in a hopeful voice. "Not too much longer. How about you just get some fresh air for twenty minutes or so?"
"Okay." After hugging Carrie, Tawny let Greg lead her out of the area.
"Sis!" Paul ran down the hall. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner." He threw his arms around her. "I was boarding a red-eye for a business trip when Wendy called and told me what happened." Cuddling her he asked, "What's the latest?"
"He's still in surgery." The strength of her brother's arms allowed Carrie to finally weaken. "I'm so glad you're here."
Smoothing his hand over her back he let her cry into his chest. "Shh…" Closing his eyes he realized she hadn't cried this hard since their mom died. "I know how much you hate hospitals."
"It's reminding me of saying goodbye to mom," she sobbed. "I can see it in my head…she looked so weak…with all that machinery. I wish we had just brought her home. I hate that she wasn't home by her garden and…the thought of Nicky like that…"
Opening his eyes he saw who he assumed was Nick's brother standing next to Jillian. "Andy?"
He nodded while averting his eyes.
"I could kill you for bringing my sister this kind of pain." He squeezed Carrie tighter. "The only thing stopping me from strangling you is a need to be here for my family and my respect for your family…not that you have any for them."
Jillian motioned to Jim. "Can you get someone to take my son back to the police station? It's far too upsetting for everyone, myself included, to have him here and Carrie and Nicky deserve to be surrounded by people who love and care about them…not Andy."
"Mom, please…" He reached for her, pleading, "I want to be here when word on Nicky comes down. Please don't make me go."
"Jim…" She walked away. "I'll be in the Ladies Room. Please make sure he's not here when I return."
"Come on." Jim motioned for him to follow. "I'll walk you downstairs and call for a car."
Lifting her head out of her brother's chest, Carrie peered over at Andy. "He was so disappointed when you cancelled."
"Cancelled?" Drew parroted.
"Dinner…in July." Swatting her tears Carrie said, "You were supposed to have dinner with us at the apartment and meet me. You called and cancelled fifteen minutes before you were due to arrive saying you had business to attend to. I heard him from the other room…he begged you to just stop by and meet me and see our place. After he hung up he told me you said you would if you could but the meeting wouldn't wait. You had already cancelled on us twice in May and June. Now we know Tawny was the reason every time. You couldn't spare thirty minutes out of your busy day cheating and lying to see your brother." Stepping back from Paul's hug Carrie told Andy, "He was going to ask you to be his best man that evening. But don't be too flattered," she cautioned. "He didn't want to choose between Warrick and Greg so he was going to ask you as a means of avoiding the difficult decision." A smile crested on her face. "I'm so glad you cancelled that night, because you're nobody's best man, Andy…especially not Nicky's."
Jim took Drew's arm. "Let's go."
The Mandalay Bay
1:07 a.m.
When Gil entered the suite he was surprised to find Sara and Lina on the couch snacking and watching a movie.
"Hey, Honey," Sara warmly greeted from the couch. "We couldn't sleep so we're watching sap and eating sugar."
Lina pointed to the screen. "A fire just broke out at the vineyard because the father of the pregnant girl got angry and in his rage knocked over a kerosene lamp. I have a feeling they're going to lose everything."
Sara laughed, "But Nick and Tawny will end up together."
Lina laughed at the inside joke.
The mention of Nick's name shocked Gil back to the task at hand. "Sara…" Kneeling in front of her he took the remote and muted the TV. "I have something to tell you and it's upsetting but I don't want you to panic because it's under control and I'm quite confident everything will be okay."
Her breath catching in her throat she asked, "What did Mike do now?"
"No…it's not that." Reaching out he took her hand. "Nick's undergoing emergency surgery. It's a long story but the short of it is he got into an argument with his brother at The Tempest and when security escorted them out they made a pit stop in a service elevator and…" Seeing the emotion building in his wife's eyes Gil's voice weakened. "They cracked his ribs and in doing so ruptured his spleen causing him to go into hemorrhagic shock from bleeding internally."
Lina made the sign of the cross. "Dios Mio. Carrie must be beside herself with worry. And his mother is here too, no?"
"I need to be there." Sara bolted from the couch, passing her father-in-law who had stepped into the room just in time to hear the story.
Gil nodded at Lina. "I'll call with an update when we know something."
Crime Lab
1:51 a.m.
Catherine and Jas were in the break room filling their coffee mugs when Warrick hustled into the room.
"Nothing new on Nick," Catherine announced, figuring her normally laidback partner's urgency was rooted in concern for his buddy.
Warrick ignored her. "Please leave us, Jas and shut the door behind you. Thanks."
Catherine watched with wide eyes as Jas scurried out and Warrick fumed. "What's going on?"
As soon as the door shut he blasted, "You worked a case at your father's hotel. Not just a case. Nick's case. God dammit! You know it could taint the case and ruin Nick's chance at nailing the guy who put him in the hospital."
"Would you relax and…"
"No!" Shoving his hands on his hips he heatedly continued, "Because you're also jeopardizing my job. I'm tired of you thinking just because we're together, you can do whatever you want to at work. Sharing a bed does not mean we share this job. It's two different worlds, Cath and things need to change."
Pissed, she yelled back, "There was no one else here to work the case!"
"You intercepted the message and I never got a chance to make a decision on how to handle the situation!"
"I'm sorry! I wanted to nail the bastard, okay!" Getting in his face she snipped, "It had nothing to do with my father and everything to do with Nick. You know how connected things are in this city. If those goons heard about Nick going to the hospital they would have disappeared."
"You could have asked the cops to seal the scene and then sat tight."
"Seal the entire hotel? Not without a warrant and by that time they would have bolted."
Huffing over to the couch he took a seat.
She followed and said, "Those guys won't complain about the handling of this case. They wouldn't dare."
"Why, Cath?"
She clammed up.
"Because they'd be causing trouble for Sam and he'd have them taught a lesson? That's what I'm talking about." Dropping his head in his hands Warrick exhaled sharply. "It's too complicated."
"What?"
"Everything."
"Meaning us?"
"I don't know what I mean."
"Well that helps." When she saw him glance up she apologized. "Sorry…sorry." Rubbing her temples she suggested, "I'm tense…you're tense. Can we just hold off talking about this until we know Nick's out of the woods?"
Standing up he said, "You're off the case."
"Understood."
Meeting her gaze he nodded. "Thank you for that uncharacteristic show of respect for your supervisor's wishes." He headed for the door. "Let me know if you hear anything on Nicky and I'll do the same."
The Mandalay Bay
2:05 a.m.
Sitting on the couch mindlessly watching TV, Lina and Ron nervously waited for Gil to call from the hospital with word. Although they had only met Nick recently and barely knew him, they had seen enough of the love between him and his family and friends to know his loss would be devastating. Sitting there in the living room illuminated by CNN, Ron and Lina were concerned first and foremost about the impact such a loss would have on their own family member, Sara.
Sitting at a picnic table with Lina, Nick and Sara, Ron enthusiastically said, "I'm honored you're letting me be a part of your B-PAC charity. Seriously…I've done a lot of philanthropic work over the years and it has always been limited to 'thank you Mr. Grissom for your generous monetary contribution', this is the first time a charity has valued my thoughts as much as my cash."
Nick smiled warmly, "Sir, I'd feel real guilty taking your cash without giving you a say on how things were run, and from what Sara has told me about you, we're very lucky to have your expertise."
Ron chuckled lightly. "Nick, after meeting your mother I'm sure she insisted on formality from you growing up, but please drop the Sir and just call me Ron. Sir was what my father insisted I call him, when really his title should have been…"
"Guero!" Lina's sharp tone said it all. "There are children running around and I know how you get when you start talking about your old man, old man."
"Sorry." Ron pointed at his supposed 'date'. "It's kind of cute how she keeps me in line, huh? Luckily Gil has Sara to do the same for him, and from the little time I've spent observing Carrie with you, Nick…I know you're on a tight leash too."
Laughing, Sara elbowed her pseudo-brother. "Don't feel too bad for this hound dog because he ran leashless all over this city for years."
Nick fought back with, "You're calling me a dog? Hell…you're the one who followed Gris around like a lovesick pup for half a decade." Chuckling at Sara's blush, he informed Ron and Lina, "And even though she stood in front of him panting and wagging her tail daily…Gris never came sniffing. OW!" he blurted from the hard pinch she gave him. "I guess that's what they mean when they say the truth hurts."
After another pinch Sara informed him, "Now that we're having an official wedding, I think the statute of limitations on dysfunctional Gil and Sara jokes has run out, Bro."
"So, tell me, Sis," Nick pinched her back. "When does the statute of limitations on my womanizing run out?"
"At your wedding of course."
"She thinks of him like a brother," Ron stated, breaking the silence in the room. "The poor kid has worked hard to create this little family around her. She's already had to leave her house tonight and now this. And Gil…he's crawled into his old shell. I don't know what to do to help. I hate feeling so powerless."
"I know what it's like leaving your home behind," Lina commented as she reached for a tissue. "My husband and I came to this country with the clothes on our backs. I never saw my brother again…he died in Cuba a few months after I escaped with my husband. Those were desperate times. Juan and I stayed with my cousin. There were twenty of us in a two bedroom house." Glancing around the posh Presidential Suite a bittersweet smile found her lips. "I didn't even know places like this existed back then. We thought we made it big when we got a studio apartment and could afford beef on Sundays." Bringing the tissue to her eyes she gingerly blotted away the drops.
"You know my story isn't much different than yours. I left behind everything I knew to take Jillian to California and have Gil. And you're right, it was scary but, for just a small slice of time it was fantastic because the love was there." Shaking his head he released a nostalgic smile. "We were so naïve…we really thought our love was all we needed to keep things going."
"It was," Lina remarked as she looked over at Ron. "But you both forgot to lean on it when the time came. Juan and I never forgot. That day when they called from the hospital saying he was seriously injured, I ran there. I was working a job in a Laundromat and I remember dropping the shirts and just running. I didn't even know where the hospital was but somehow I got there. To this day I don't know how." The tears streamed freely down her cheeks now. "I got there just in time to say goodbye. I held his hand…I brushed back his hair and I told him I loved him from the minute we met and never stopped. I saw the love in his eyes…he saw it in mine and then he passed. The love was there until the end…and it lives on in memories."
Ron reached for a tissue for her and softly confessed, "After my heart operation I remember waking up in the ICU with all those wires and machines. They had me tied to the bed in the ICU so I wouldn't panic and rip the stuff out." He shivered at the memory. "I didn't know where I was or what was wrong. I thought I was paralyzed because I couldn't move my arms and legs." His voice crackled with emotion. "I remember thinking I wished I hadn't made it if this was the way it was going to be…trapped in a hospital bed or confined to a wheelchair drooling. I was terrified." Gazing into her eyes he said, "Then I saw you…and you smiled at me. Suddenly the fear subsided."
"Because the love was there," she whispered as she searched his eyes. "I saw it in your eyes too."
Reaching out, Ron slipped his hand in Lina's and brought it to his lips for a tender kiss. "Yes."
Her tears switching from sorrow to joy she smiled. "And it will be there until the end."
Overwhelmed by the moment, they snuggled into each other's arms and resumed watching the muted TV. In silence they let the love flow between them and waited for a phone call that couldn't come soon enough for two people who knew loss and didn't wish others to feel its pain that night.
Author's Notes:
Hospital Waiting Area drama is often a reality. Hospital staff all have a few good stories. When my son was born he had to have some corrective surgery and one of the times I witnessed another family across the room breakout into a huge fight worthy of hospital security. Emotions and adrenaline are running high so people are uncharacteristically charged sometimes. Grissom would naturally be uncomfortable in this scenario and I hope that came across although he forced a little closeness by joining Jim in cheering up Carrie (I heard you had a good time in Flagstaff…). Drew isn't off the hook quite yet in case you thought he got off light. In this chapter there were hints as to why Drew is the way he is or did what he did…some more will follow down the road.
Cath and Warrick fans…finally a little tension for the couple. Warrick would naturally NOT like Sam Braun for several reasons and until now he's been able to ignore the issue…look for that to change.
The glimpse at Tawny and Drew's meeting has several purposes, the immediate ones to show how they met and give you a closer look at the pre-Greg Tawny (and her fake personality as 'Glitter'). A few people were a little shocked by Tawny and Greg's sporadic immaturity in the last chapter but that's exactly where I envision them right now…maturing but backsliding a little along the way. California will be a BIG deal for them on their journey to maturity.
I also had a couple of people question Tawny's lack of a problem with Becca touching Greg so I wanted to clarify. If Greg had been getting it on for the sake of getting it on, she would have had a problem BUT because he was leading Becca on to seek revenge, she was thrilled because she's never been the girl chosen (as evidenced by her pain from Drew picking her to be his 'second' woman and her admitting she probably would have, pre-Greg, thought that was a good offer for a girl like her). Also, being an ex-dancer gives Tawny a higher comfort level for nudity/touching plus she still feels awkward that Greg has a lot less experience than her. So, in her quirky brain this made them a little more even LOL. Also…she won't be keeping the bracelet…she has a nice plan for it and you'll find it out in chapter 12.
Thanks toMisty-J, Rojajii and SouthernCSI for your reviews!.
Next chapter: The gang waits for word on Nick and passes the time with a little levity; Cath and Warrick go another round; Ryan and Sean are back in the mix; Drew gets a front row seat to his trial…Mama Stokes style; it's date time for Irving and Sofia; and Mike Rodgers's reaction to Nick's trauma. Posting: Sunday Morning
Thanks for reading!
Maggs