Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 10
August 30, 2005
University Trauma Center
2:55 a.m.
Two and a half hours since Nick went to the OR, the waiting area was now clear except for his family and friends. And as sometimes happens in these situations, those waiting forced themselves beyond the trauma and had defaulted into a surreal calm.
While Jim, Greg, Paul and Grissom passed the time playing cards at one of several tables in the room, Carrie, Tawny and Sara sat around another, snacking on vending machine food and chatting. Jillian, having become horribly overwhelmed by the implosion of her family, was parked in a lounge chair resting her eyes.
"Tawny…" Carrie was anxious to start a new happy topic when the conversation died down. "I know I'm a bit out of it but, did I hear correctly before when Greg introduced himself as your fiancé? If that's true then why don't I see a ring?"
"Well…" After glancing over her shoulder to wink at her man, Tawny confessed, "He accidentally blurted his proposal but the ring is in California so...we're considering it part one of a two-part proposal. So, technically…we're only fifty-percent engaged."
"Yeah…" Sara chuckled, "That's sounds so Greg." After cycling through a variety of emotions and shedding a pile of tears with Carrie, she was grateful for the upbeat turn in mood.
Joining in the laughter Carrie added, "Since Greg accidentally got Tawny two-parts pregnant, I'm feeling pretty confident he'll follow through with part two."
"I've been thinking about what you said, Carrie…how everything happens for a reason, even the bad stuff." Tawny whimsically announced, "I see now that Drew had a purpose. If he hadn't been such an unbelievable asshole, I might not have been as receptive to Greg that night I met him at Tweeters. I only invited him over to cuddle because he was so sweet and sensitive, the complete opposite of that rat bastard." She giggled when she saw Sara's raised brow. "Okay…okay…I also invited him because he said he had a trust fund but that was the old me…not the new me. Now I definitely know what's important in a man and his bank account isn't even in the top ten."
Sara rolled her eyes at the memory of Gil confession he fed Greg those lines. "I'm thrilled that you're eternally grateful for my husband encouraging Greg to lie to you."
Tawny bubbled, "Hey, if Greg spoke on his own, who knows what idiotic things he would have said!"
"I heard that!" Greg announced from across the room. "And can I just say I'm really glad we're playing for Skittles over here and not money because between Grissom, and your shark brother, Carrie, I'm about to lose the shirt off my back."
As the women laughed the men anted up.
"Now, Chuckles…" Jim prodded, "…did I hear right before when you introduced yourself as Tawny's fiancé? Where's the ring?"
"Locked in my mother's bedroom dresser."
Grissom choked on his coffee then said, "I know what Freud would say about that."
"It's only there because she's hiding it from my father," he explained before realizing how abnormal that sounded too.
Paul tossed a few Skittles in the pot while laughing. "As long as he's not planning to bring his mom on the honeymoon I'm not worried."
Grissom looked to Greg.
In response, Greg threw a nasty look and two Skittles at him.
"Look how irresponsible you are with money," Grissom half-joked. "You have a fiancée now, soon she'll be your wife and you'll have children."
"Yeah…then the pressure really starts." Paul folded and sighed. "I left a message on my boss's answering machine a half hour ago giving my two weeks notice."
The men all turned their eyes on Paul.
"This was the final straw." Paul grabbed his bottle of Coke and explained, "What if I had been on that red-eye when this happened? Or in New York or Ohio? I'm never home. I'm just like Drew, focused on the money and the clients more than my family…without the mistress on the side of course. Wendy's going to pick up nursing shifts and I'm looking for something local. We'll figure it out." He paused for a sip. "Life's too short and a crisis has a way of putting life in perspective."
Grissom nodded and spoke softly. "A crisis is what brought Sara and me together."
Greg chuckled. "A crisis is what happened after Tawny and I got together."
Jim glanced over at Jillian sitting in the corner and thought of his own family. "I hate to be the killjoy but…sometimes a crisis can tear people and families apart."
Paul knew the feeling since his own father almost killed him during their family crisis. "True, but no matter how bad it looks at the time, if they really work at it, it's possible to recover. My family ended up being closer than ever after our ordeal." He shuffled the cards and warned, "Of course it got a hell of a lot worse before it got better."
The sound of the phone ringing at the clerk's desk brought all conversation to a halt.
Sara and Tawny reached out, each taking one of Carrie's hands.
A minute later the clerk hung up the phone and smiled. "He's in recovery and listed as stable. Surgery went very well. The doctor will be up shortly to brief you."
Too energized to remain seated, Carrie bolted up from the table. Seconds later everyone followed her lead. "Did you hear that Jillian!"
"Yes, Honey." The weary and relieved woman stood to receive her future daughter-in-law's hug. "I knew he'd fight to stay with you."
Sara slipped into Gil's waiting arms. "That's a relief." The kiss he placed on the top of her head warmed her body. "After tonight, I don't care where I live as long as I get to live there with you."
Tawny threw her arms around Greg and let her tears of relief flow as she kissed him.
Jim glanced over at Paul laughing, "I don't know about you but, this is bringing back memories of nightmare New Years Eve Parties…you know…it's midnight and I'm the only one without a kiss."
Just then Carrie bounded over and planted one on Jim's cheek. "That's for those extra five minutes you got for Nicky! You're getting a spotlight dance with me at the wedding for sure!" Jubilant, she kissed him again. "And I'll be making a recommendation to my fiancé for a new candidate for Best Man…The Brass Man!"
Sara jumped up on a chair with a bottle of water. "To The Brass Man!"
Overwhelmed by the outpouring of gratitude Brass deflected, "Look out, Boom Boom is dancing on a chair."
At the desk, the clerk watched the group rejoice while thinking…they have got to be one of the oddest, most entertaining, severely bipolar groups I've ever seen…I'm gonna miss 'em when they move on. Sighing, she got up to replenish the tissue boxes, since the pretty girl with the big boobs had gone through most of them.
"To Greg and Tawny!" Sara cheered in adrenaline-infused joy. "Who are fifty percent engaged!"
"And two-hundred percent pregnant!" Greg added while holding his future wife from behind with his hands over her womb. "I love you," he whispered in her ear while the group cheered. "I can't wait to slip that ring on your finger in California."
712 Via Diabla
San Marino, California
3:01 a.m.
Unable to sleep, Becca found herself in her gourmet kitchen pouring a jumbo glass of Merlot and obsessing over what had happened earlier. The house felt eerily emptier than usual tonight after hearing Greg's soothing voice and infectious laugh echoing in it earlier.
With her wine glass in hand she stepped onto the patio and breathed in the early morning air, the sound of crickets in the bushes finally providing a little comforting noise.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Greg's t-shirt crumpled on the ground next to the hot tub and walked to retrieve it.
Once there she brought it to her face, the softness of it reminding her of the comfort he always brought her back in the day. A comfort she now realized she took for granted too many times.
Bringing it to her nose she realized it carried his scent. Closing her eyes she mourned how she went from being the girl he always longed for to the woman he deplored. Although she knew everything he said was true, it cut like a knife because it came from him…the one person she was sure would never let her down. Greg was sweet and sensitive, two things she didn't know how to be to others. Sniffing the tee she wondered why his traits never rubbed off on her, like his scent on the cotton fabric of the shirt.
Glancing up at the empty house filled with expensive things and bad memories she wished she could return to high school and do it all over again. Sadly she recalled Greg's words when she asked him if he had been leading her on the whole time… No, I came here to see if there really was something undeniable between us. That's when it hit her. Maybe it wasn't too late, she thought while remembering more of his declarations…Fifteen minutes in exchange for fifteen years. Since I'm a generous person I'll consider us even. See ya at the club! A smile unfurled on her forlorn face. He's generous…he said we're even…then he said he'd see me at the club. Giddy with excitement she declared, "It was his way of telling me he's willing to start over and give me a second chance!"
University Trauma Center
3:34 a.m.
While the rest of the group was outside the hospital making phone calls and getting air, Carrie, Paul, Jillian and Grissom, at Carrie's request, met with Nick's doctor in the OR waiting room.
After quick introductions, Dr. Raj Singh, the forty-four year old surgeon, began his debrief. "Well, I have excellent news to report. Although there was extensive damage to the spleen, I was able to salvage it. Additionally, aside from the rib fractures, I didn't find any other serious damage. The kidney, which we were initially concerned about, was unscathed. Since Mr. Stokes was in excellent health at the time of the injury and because there were no complications during surgery, I expect him to make a quick recovery."
Carrie breathed a notable sigh of relief.
"Even though he's listed as stable, Mr. Stokes will have to stay in the ICU for twenty-four to forty-eight hours for close observation. This is due to the intricacy of the surgery, particularly, the vast number of repairs required to preserve the spleen. In the ICU they'll monitor him for signs of new bleeding from missed or insufficiently repaired vascular structures that would require a follow up surgery. If all goes well he'll be able to leave the hospital in five or six days."
"When can we see him?" Paul asked on behalf of the two silent women.
"He'll be in recovery for at least another hour and then be transported to the ICU floor. You'll want to check in with the clerk in the ICU visitor's lounge and then a nurse will come and get you when he's settled." The doctor began shaking hands. "And now for my public service announcement…since Mr. Stokes went through a total of six units of blood, two in the ER and four during surgery, I would encourage you or any other family members and friends, if they're able, to make a blood donation to our bank. Unfortunately, our state is notorious for low blood donations. During the summer we typically have less than a one day's supply of Type O on hand." He smiled, "I don't think I have to give you the 'blood donation saves lives speech' because you learned that first hand tonight. Without that Type O readily available, Mr. Stokes wouldn't have made it."
"I'll definitely donate because I'm O Negative, and I'll encourage everyone else to as well," Carrie assured him while shaking his hand. "Thank you, Doctor."
"Great…and take care," he said before heading back to the elevator.
"Okay then…" Paul squeezed his sister's shoulders. "I need to call Wendy with an update. Will you be okay here?"
Carrie nodded and smiled. "For the first time tonight I think I can say yes…I'll be okay." She glanced over at Jillian who she knew was relieved about Nick but suffering from the fallout. "Do you want to go right to the ICU waiting area or…"
"I need to step outside and make some phone calls," Jillian announced in a daze. "Now that we know Nicky's safe, it's time for us to start dealing with the other consequences of this mess."
Crime Lab
Warrick's Office
3:41 a.m.
When Warrick clicked off the speakerphone Catherine relaxed in her chair. "Sara sounded very upbeat."
"She's confident that he'll be okay." He sat back in his chair and exhaled. "Now so am I."
"I'm sorry."
"For?"
"Before." Catherine studied her partner's eyes. "You were right, I intercepted the message and went to The Tempest to control things, but not because I wanted to help my father, because I wanted to make sure we nailed the bastard who hurt Nick." Seeing him struggle with the statement she prodded, "What?"
"He's not your father, Cath. He's the guy who got your mom pregnant. I have one of those out there somewhere too. If he showed up at my door I wouldn't give him the time of day and not because I'm bitter…because it's unnecessary. Common DNA doesn't mean anything to me. The people I consider my family don't share alleles with me and I don't feel like I'm missing anything because my sperm donor isn't in my life."
"You think I should have told Sam to go to hell and keep his check?"
"Cath…" Tense over Nick, among other things, he held his tongue.
"Say it."
He shook his head.
"I can take it," she assured him. "Say it."
Meeting her gaze Warrick said, "You're letting him buy a piece of you. Is it really that different than when guys stuffed bills in your g-string? Worse yet…Sam Braun's money is tainted…it's blood money. We're busting our asses day in and day out to lock criminals away. You're letting a criminal put your daughter through school at the same time you're trying to instill morals and values in her. How screwed up is that?"
She exhaled sharply. "Wow."
Relieved he got it off his chest but sorry to cause her pain he quietly said, "Which one of those statements isn't true, Cath?"
"None of the above." Standing up Catherine replied, "I need some air."
Sam Braun's Home Office
3:49 a.m.
Blane, the hotel manager for The Tempest, stood in front of his employer's desk shaking in his shoes and breathing erratically. Behind him were Mr. Braun's bodyguards, Gleason and Sully, two men reputed for their loyalty and lack of conscience.
"Mr. Braun," Blane pleaded, "I was told by our security staff that the camera in service elevator B was not feeding into the tapes. That's why I instructed Lenny and Brutus to use it."
"You were told," Sam clarified while leaning back in his chair. "But did you check?"
"No." He lowered his head.
"Not even after Brutus and Lenny told you they reprimanded the disruptive guests in that elevator?"
"No, Sir." His eyes remained fixed on the area rug below him and his thoughts centered on tales of men being taken out and rolled up in carpets such as the one he was standing on. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Braun."
"Oh, me too." Sam signaled for his staff to escort the man to the door. "You have thirty minutes to disappear on your own, or Gleason and Sully will help you."
"Thank you, Sir."
"You're overstaying your welcome." Sam buzzed for his personal assistant. "Veronica…what's the latest on Nick Stokes? And it better be good news."
The Mandalay Bay
3:52 a.m.
From her position on the couch Lina watched Ron smile as he held the phone to his ear. It was obviously good news.
"That's great, Sara," Ron nodded in Lina's direction. "So, you and Gil will be here in a half hour?"
Lina jumped up to make sure the place was in order. "Are they hungry?" The Presidential Suites had twenty-four hour room service access to anything the resort hotel had to offer.
Ron nodded. "We'll have something waiting for you when you get here. After all, I need to make sure my grandson is well fed." He laughed into the phone. "Sorry…it's just a wish I have since I know Gil would prefer a daughter so he doesn't have to play out the father and son thing in reverse."
Chuckling, Lina plucked the Room Service binder off the bookshelf. "Do they want breakfast or something else?"
The Blakes
3:58 a.m.
"Chocolate chip pancakes," Ryan answered when his mother said she'd make him anything he wanted. Both he and his brother had been jarred awake by the phone when their father called with word on Nick. Whenever he was worried about something Ryan liked to eat and the news about his future uncle had him on edge.
"Nothing for me, thanks," Sean remarked while taking a seat at the kitchen table. The first thing to go when he was scared or nervous was his appetite and the thought of his uncle almost dying had him terrified.
"Boys, I'm sorry you overheard me on the phone with your dad." Wendy walked over to the table and took a seat. "I didn't want you to find out that way."
Sean's voice quavered, "But dad said he's okay, right?"
"He is." Wendy patted her son's arm. "I'm a nurse, remember? I know an excellent prognosis when I hear one."
"But you're a burn nurse, not a spleen nurse," Ryan reminded her.
Sean had to correct him. "There's no such thing as a spleen nurse. Nurses are categorized by…"
"Speaking of nursing…" Wendy announced removing the attention off Ryan's blunder and Sean's precociousness, "I'm going back to work again."
"What?" Sean's disappointment rang in his voice. "Dad's hardly here and now you'll be gone too?"
"That's just it…I'm going to work so your dad can take a different job, one without travel, and be home more."
"Really!" Unable to contain his excitement, Ryan bolted from his chair. "He'll be able to come to my games again?"
"That's right." The ecstatic looks on her sons' faces warmed her heart and she teased, "Are you happy you're going to see your dad more, or are you happy you're going to see me a little less?"
The brothers declared in unison, "Happy to see dad!"
Boulevard Station
Holding Cell
4:50 a.m.
"Son…" Judge Stokes stood outside the cell where his son Andrew was sleeping on a metal bench.
Upon stirring, Drew saw a man looming over him through the bars. "Dad?"
"They say an innocent man paces the cell while a guilty man gets a good night sleep."
"Dad!" Drew jumped to his feet and gripped the bars. "Is Nicky okay?"
Judge Stokes paused to study his eldest son's eyes and when he saw fear and remorse he answered, "Yes, he's in stable condition and is expected to be make a full recovery."
Relief consumed him. "Thank God."
"I wish I could say the same for you."
Drew saw The Look, the one that every Stokes kid lived in fear of seeing on their father's face…disdain, and never in all his years had Drew seen it as intense as he was now.
As the cell opened Judge Stokes coolly announced, "I've bailed you out because your mother has requested your presence at the hospital. We'll stop at my hotel first and clean you up. She doesn't need to see you in that bloody shirt." With that he turned and walked down the hall.
University Trauma Center
ICU Nurses Station
5:01 a.m.
Before allowing Carrie and Jillian in to see Nick, who had been transported and settled into the ICU, his nurse Eileen, a tenured ICU RN with a friendly smile and a soothing voice, briefed them on what to expect.
"Mr. Stokes had no complications in the recovery room and no issues upon transfer to the ICU. He's doing great."
Carrie and Jillian smiled along with the nurse.
"When you see him, please remember the positive things I've said about his condition because he'll look much worse than he's doing…that's why we prepare family members for what they'll see. All these things I'm about to point out are typical and shouldn't be cause for alarm." As usual she saw the loved ones tense. "He's still on a ventilator because he's weak from the blood loss and the heavy sedation. He's tied to the bed so when he rouses, he doesn't accidentally rip out anything or strain because we wouldn't want him causing any pressure on the abdomen."
Breathing through the nurse's words Carrie prepared to see Nick looking the same as her mother when she was dying.
After giving her audience a minute to absorb information Eileen continued, "He has an arterial line to constantly monitor blood gases, a nasogastric tube to suction his stomach and prevent distension in the abdomen, an IV line for fluids, a Foley catheter, and he is hooked up to several pieces of monitoring equipment. On top of that, his face is bruised from the assault, with his eyes, mouth and his cheeks swollen and lacerated. Lastly, his arm is bandaged because his gunshot wound from the previous night was re-treated. But remember what I said…how he looks and the status of his condition are two different things." Reaching out she took Carrie's arm and reassured her, "He's doing great."
Swallowing hard Carrie squeaked, "I'm ready."
As they walked down the hall Eileen spoke directly to Carrie. "When he wakes, your fiancée will most likely be very disoriented and frightened. He won't know how he got here, he won't be able to move and once the sedative effects of his medication wear off, he'll realize he's covered in equipment and surrounded by machines." At the large window in front of Nick's room Eileen sweetly told the trembling woman, "As his loved one, your job will be to calm him down as quickly as you can. We don't want his blood pressure precipitously rising for too long because it will be pumping blood through the newly ligated spleen. Okay?"
Holding Jillian's hand, Carrie stared at Nick through the window and forced all her fears for him, and memories of her mother, deep inside. "Count on it."
"Great." Eileen flashed an affable smile. "Talking and touching is highly encouraged, just be careful not to disturb the equipment. Use his name often and remain as calm and upbeat as possible. He'll follow your lead…if you look scared, he'll get scared. Okay…you've washed your hands and you don't need a mask so you can go on in."
Jillian didn't fare as well as Carrie when it came to putting up a brave front. "It's like seeing him in nursery after he was born premature..." Shaking she released Carrie's hand. "…so helpless and sick." Only Jillian and her husband knew the truth that after her sixth pregnancy, Jillian was advised because of a birthing complication that required surgery to her uterus, not to have another child. Taking the warning seriously, Bill Stokes immediately had a vasectomy. Nick was the unplanned result when the vasectomy failed and when he arrived seven weeks early due to his mother going into pre-term labor, his fate was questionable for weeks.
"Just like then…he's going to pull through with flying colors," Carrie reminded her as she hurried to Nick's side, thrilled to have him close again even if he looked more machine than human. After a quick survey she reached out and brushed her fingers through his hair, it being one of the few places free of tubes and wires. "It's Carrie, Honey. You're doing great, Nicky. You'll be back on your feet in no time, you'll see. I love you so much." Leaning forward she placed a kiss on his forehead. "Hell of a week we're having, huh? We really should have stayed in Flagstaff."
Jim Brass's Apartment
6:01 a.m.
Knowing that the reception desk at Whispering Pines was staffed beginning from six a.m., Jim took a seat in his black leather recliner and punched the facility's number into the phone.
"Whispering Pines. How may I assist you?"
"Yes…my name is Jim Brass. I enrolled my daughter, Ellie Brass, in your program on Saturday. I was wondering if I could speak with her."
"One moment while I pull up her file."
Slouching in the chair Jim closed his eyes.
"Mr. Brass, I'm sorry but your daughter has not been given phone privileges yet."
"Oh." Deflated he asked, "Are you permitted to relay a message to her from me?"
"Yes, certainly."
"Tell her…" Jim stared at the photo of Ellie he had on the book shelf. "Tell her that her dad said hi and that he can't wait to see her on visiting day. Tell her I'll bring her favorite candy. Okay? And tell her that I love her."
"I have it written and I will place it in her mailbox."
"Thank you." After hanging up the phone he closed his eyes. The events of the last twelve hours finally catching up to him, he promptly fell asleep.
The Mandalay Bay
6:14 a.m.
Once Gil and Sara were alone in the guest bedroom they simultaneously said, "Did you notice?" Which was quickly followed by a mutual, "Yes!"
"Something happened while we were gone," Sara surmised. "Something big." She couldn't contain her glee. "I saw your father rest his hand on Lina's shoulder and then she reached up and put her hand on top of his."
"They didn't think we were looking."
"But you really can't hide from CSIs," she joked. "Are you okay with this or is it weird?"
"Uh…" Gil tossed his shirt and asked, "You mean thinking of my father with another woman than my mother? Or thinking that geriatric sex could be occurring down the hall?"
Sara covered her mouth as she laughed.
"Frankly I find the fact that my father could still be getting hot and heavy at his age encouraging…after all, I inherit my prowess from him."
"Your prowess?" Sara laughed harder. "Sorry…I blame the laughing on my need to release a little tension after a really emotional night. I'm not laughing at your claim to have prowess…because your prowess is definitely there, Honey." She laughed harder still.
While he removed his trousers Gil proudly reminded her, "And my dad can't be taking Viagra because of his heart condition."
"Imagine if you took Viagra." Her giggles were uncontrollable as she continued exaggerating and her stress melted away. "I probably wouldn't survive the night."
"You know…" Dropping back on the bed Gil laughed with his wife. "Warrick, Nick and Greg all have taken Viagra."
"You know this how?" Sara asked in disbelief as she crawled under the covers to join her husband in a power nap before heading into work. "And if it has anything to do with the four of you being naked together…don't tell me."
Propping up on his elbow he told her. "Nick and I were working a case one night about two years ago and this pharmaceutical rep gave us a bunch of coupons for free Viagra when accompanied by prescriptions from a physician. When we got back to the lab and talked about it…you know the boys…they're competitive. They decided to get them filled and see how long they could last while under the influence."
Sara shook her head. "Yeah…that really is very easy to believe."
Gil nodded. "I was the only one who didn't use the coupon. The following Monday they were in the locker room discussing the results."
"Well, Greg had age on his side but…" Sara laughed. "I have this feeling he ended up armed, dangerous and alone on Saturday night."
"You are correct. Apparently he thought he was going to get lucky, went to the men's room to pop the pill but the girl left with someone else while he was in there fixing his hair."
Shaking off the image building in her head Sara shivered, "And now, right before I try to sleep, I'm stuck thinking about how Greg dealt with his drug-induced super boner. Ugh…you guys really talk about this stuff in the locker room when Cath and I aren't there?"
"They didn't know I was there either," Gil laughed. "They thought they were alone."
"So who won, Warrick or Nick?"
"My pager went off and I never found out, but really Sara…" Gil tossed her a look. "…you're a smart woman, don't you know the answer?"
"Ahh…got it." Chuckling, she snuggled up. "Warrick and Nick's dates were the ultimate winners that night."
Irving's Apartment
7:01 a.m.
When he peered out the peephole of his condo's door Irving was surprised to see Sofia ninety minutes early. Thinking back he clearly remembered her saying she'd be by to pick him up at eight thirty for their drive to the mountains.
"I'm early!" She cheerily announced through the door. "I like to surprise my dates at their place so I can see what they're really like, rather then getting the phony version you get when you're on time. It's also a good way to see if they're sleeping with other people before they move on to you."
"Uh…" Still sweaty from his five mile run Irving glanced around his unkempt abode. "Yeah…you'll be getting a glimpse at the real me alright. I haven't had time to shove everything into closets and put away my Xbox and all the other stuff that will let you know I spend a little too much time alone here."
"That's much better than finding a wife in your bed," she laughed. "Let me in…I come bearing healthy protein shakes because I know you don't do bad carbs or sugar. Greg warned me not to show up with Krispy Kremes."
Opening the door Irving enthusiastically greeted, "Protein shake just happens to be the magic word after I run. Now I don't have to make one." She looked fantastic with her long blonde hair in a high ponytail and dressed for the hike in khaki cargo shorts, a white tank and beige trail-worn Lowa's.
"Hi." She held out the shake.
"Hi." He took it and kissed her cheek. "Luckily I brushed already. Well…uh…come on in and enjoy the mess and my odor."
Walking by his solid six foot five frame of ripping muscle, which was covered only by blue jogging shorts and a half dozen tattoos, Sofia tried not to drool. "Quite an eclectic collection of tats you have there."
"Some of them I'd rather not have," he admitted while shutting the door.
"Why's that?" With her eyes wide she took in the ambiance of the obvious bachelor pad.
"I can tell you're in CSI mode." He sweetly laughed. "You're giving my condo and I the critical eye and trying to figure out everything about us."
"Well…" Taking a seat on the couch she relaxed. "You can't judge a book by its cover. You have to scour every page and figure out what it's really trying to say…or hide."
Leaning against the wall he ran his palm over his shaved head. "After you use this approach with a guy does he usually want to see you again?"
"No." After a quick sip of her shake she informed him. "But it's not a loss when this approach freaks out a guy because the right guy for me won't get freaked out by this approach."
"Ah." After studying his guest for a moment Irving remarked, "Okay, I'm gonna grab a shower." Then, on the way to the bedroom he encouraged her. "Snoop all you want because I've got nothing to hide…except some dust bunnies but, who doesn't." At the door he winked, "And Ms. CSI, I'll answer all your questions under oath later."
"Wow."
"That response is always a good sign on a date." Stepping into the bedroom he laughed. "Now, I'm locking the door, not because I'm hiding something but because I don't know you very well and you may try to jump me in the bathroom. I like to get to know a person a little better before I …let them see my rubber ducky collection. If you get through with your investigation before I'm done, play some Xbox."
The Blakes
7:22 a.m.
When Paul Blake walked through his front door he believed he had stepped into the Twilight Zone. There, on the floor in front of the TV were his two sons happily playing Xbox. "Uh…" At a loss for words, Paul stood there trying to decide what shocked him the most. First he considered Sean touching the Xbox, which he usually referred to as an X-treme waste of time that X-tracts IQ points from a guy's brain via the joystick. The next contender was Ryan and Sean getting along and laughing together. After a minute he decided the most shocking thing was that Ryan was teaching Sean something and Sean was actually paying attention to his brother's lesson.
"Dude…you really should have punted."
"What's a punt?"
Paul cringed waiting for Ryan to rip Sean for not knowing such a basic thing.
"A punt is when you kick the football without letting it hit the ground and you kick it downfield to your own team instead of the opposing team. You do it so the opposing team has further to go to make a touchdown or a field goal when they take possession."
"Wen…" Paul called out to his wife. "Did you medicate the boys?"
"Dad!" Ryan and Sean dropped their joysticks and jumped for joy. "Mom told us you quit your job!"
Paul fell back two steps when his sons rushed him. "If I had known quitting my job would make the two of you instantly get along I would have given my notice a lot sooner."
Strolling into the living room wiping her hands on a dishrag Wendy broke the news to her husband, "It's nothing you did I'm afraid. The boys overheard me on the phone talking about the fight between Nick and his brother and they got scared, thinking they would end up the same way one day."
Sean clarified, "With me being the one in the hospital after Ryan pummeled me for admonishing him for receiving C's in everything but Physical Education."
Then it was Ryan's turn. "Or me being the one in the hospital because, Sean poisoned me with one of his freaky science experiments for calling him a super geek one time too many."
Wendy tossed the rag over her shoulder. "So, I suggested they spend a little time in opposite worlds to understand each other better. Before Xbox, Sean helped Ryan organize his school supplies and review the seventh grade curriculum outline for the year on the district website."
"How long do you boys think you can keep this up?" Paul asked.
"I don't know." Ryan shrugged. "Hey! If we do good can we get something special at Christmas?"
Proving old habits die hard Sean corrected, "If we do well, may we get something special at Christmas?"
"Stop copying me, Dude."
"I wasn't copying you. I was correcting your grammar."
"That's even more annoying!"
"Boys!" Wendy warned, "Remember your new mantra…don't be a Drew."
University Trauma Center
7:55 a.m.
With his father three paces in front of him Drew somberly walked down the hospital corridor.
"Your mother called when you were in the shower at my hotel. She asked that I bring you to the visitor's lounge on the third floor," Judge Stokes coolly remarked as they stepped into the elevator.
The two men completed the ride staring straight ahead without exchanging a word.
When the doors opened, Drew let his father take the lead again and followed like a disobedient child with his eyes boring into the floor and his shoulders sagging. He felt ridiculous wearing the red t-shirt that said I partied hard in Vegas which his father had picked out, no doubt purposely, from the hotel gift shop. To complete his outfit, he had on his wrinkled black trousers and the white hospital slippers Jim Brass had given him earlier. To compliment his disheveled appearance, his nose was now puffed to twice its size and both of his eyes were a dark shade of purplish-red.
"This way," Judge Stokes pointed at the sign. "It won't be long now."
Upon hearing his father's courtroom tone, Drew suddenly got the feeling he was being marched to a sentencing. A minute later he confirmed his gut instinct was correct. There, standing on one side of the lounge were all five of his sisters, his mother and his wife, each wearing the same disgusted expression.
On the other side of the room he saw Greg holding Tawny's hand. She had been home since Drew last saw her and Tawny was once again made up to the nines wearing an outrageously sexy dress, sporting the diamond bracelet he had given her and looking like she stepped out of a fashion magazine.
With all eyes on him, Drew cleared his throat. "Uh…"
"Don't speak, Son," Judge Stokes warned. "You've said far too much already."
In silence he watched his lover cross the room and stand in front of his wife, who at six-one in heels, towered over Tawny. In comparison to his lover's provocative appearance, Melissa was also dressed to impress in stylish designer clothes that flattered her currently size-twelve figure. Drew couldn't remember the last time she took the time to look so beautiful.
"Hello, Mrs. Stokes," Tawny greeted in a bubbly tone while striking a sexy pose. "My name's Tawny Cooper, I met your husband in May at the Gentleman's Club where I used to work. After paying three hundred dollars for time in the VIP room with me, he told me he was divorced, stuffed two c-notes in my g-string and asked me out. After picking me up in a limo and spoiling me rotten as he flaunted me about town, we went back to his suite and had sex…lots of it." Glancing over at Drew she giggled, "He told me I was without a doubt the best woman he ever had…the prettiest too."
Drew kept quiet, now realizing exactly what was going down.
Tawny returned her attention to Melissa, who was stoically listening and clutching her large red leather purse. "In July I discovered he'd been lying about being divorced and that he in fact had a wife and three kids. I told him to go to hell and hurled a lamp at his head. Last night he called and asked me to be his mistress for hire." She showed off her diamond bauble. "He gave me this and agreed to compensate me to the tune of ten grand a day because…and I quote…no woman ever rocked his world as much as me. If things worked out he was going to pay for my keep so whenever he needed a romp he could fly away from you, who he referred to as the Fat Ice Queen Bitch living in the Artic North, and come to sizzling hot Las Vegas and get steamy with me…his Babygirl."
"You don't say," Melissa remarked while turning to face her sister-in-laws. "Did ya'll hear this girl?" When they nodded she refocused her attention on Tawny.
"How does what I said make you feel, Mrs. Stokes?" Tawny asked in a curious tone. "How does it make you feel to know your husband ran around town showing me off like the trophy wife he used to have? Or that his family, Nick's friends, and various hospital personnel know all the sordid details?"
"How does it make me feel?" Melissa replied while burning a glare at her husband. "Humiliated. Publicly humiliated." Reaching into her purse she pulled out a large legal envelope and strutted over to her husband. "I want a divorce and according to the Public Humiliation Clause of our pre-nup…I get the house, I get fifty-five percent of the assets and…full custody of the children with visitation rights at my discretion." She slapped the papers against his chest. "Congratulations…you're going to be the first Stokes man to ever get divorced."
Drew clutched the envelope and lowered his head. "I won't insult you by sayin' I'm sorry."
"What a nice change of pace…" Melissa snipped, "…because insulting me is all you've been doing for the last year." Suddenly she broke into a smile and pulled a paper from her purse. "I almost forgot…your boss sent you a fax before I left Chicago. Somehowhe found out that you used the Corporate credit card to pay for the hotel room you busted up before getting hauled off to jail. To quote Donald Trump…you're fired." After slamming the paper against his chest she snarked, "Nice shirt by the way. I sincerely hope the party was worth it." With that she rejoined her sister-in-laws, who took turns hugging her.
Judge Stokes stepped in front of his son. "What a proud moment for us all. Thank you for making it possible, Andrew. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"No, Sir."
The disgusted father nodded. "Well now…that's the first good decision you've made in a while. Please wait downstairs for me in the cafeteria, I have family business here."
"Yes, Sir." Holding the papers that would change his life, Drew followed his father's orders.
While approaching Tawny, who was leaning against Greg's chest with his arms wrapped firmly around her waist, Jillian told the nervous girl, "You did great, Sweetheart…you did everything just like I asked you. I know it was hard but, thank you."
Melissa was the next to offer her appreciation. "I know things are very awkward right now, but five months is a long time and I really do hope you'll go through with being in the wedding because, from what Jillian told me, it means the world to Carrie to have you in it."
Tawny looked to Jillian. "Do you really think…"
"Absolutely. Our issues don't lie with you, Sugar." Jillian assured her with a smile. "Now, please go home and get those babies some rest. Greg…you see that she does. You can come back later to visit Nicky."
"Yes, ma'am," he answered in a feigned drawl while taking Tawny's hand.
"We'll call you and let you know what time."
University Trauma Center
ICU
8:42 a.m.
Exhaustion finally catching up with her, Carrie had dozed off around five thirty a.m. in the chair she had placed next to Nick's bed. So, a few hours later, when a series of alarms filled the room, she startled, jumping to her feet and clutching her chest. "Oh my God! What's happening!" she shouted when Eileen walked into the room. Flashing back to her mother's final breath, Carrie panicked and froze up.
"He's awake and alert enough to realize something's up." She pointed at Nick squirming and surveyed the monitors to confirm that was indeed the problem. "His heart rate and pressure are going up because he's scared." Patting her patient's shoulder Eileen said, "You're in the hospital recovering from emergency surgery, Mr. Stokes. Try to relax for me, okay." Calling over to Carrie she asked, "Did you forget your job as his loved one, Ms. Blake? You're supposed to be soothing him. Remember…use his name, touch him and stay calm."
Snapping out of her terror, Carrie rushed to her frightened fiancé's side. "Nicky! Look at me, Honey." Reaching out she placed one palm on his chest and one on his forehead. "You were hurt last night and had surgery but you're going to be fine. Do you hear me, Nicky?" His eyes were wild with fear and she could see him fighting to move his hands and feet. "It's Carrie, Sweetie…listen to me. You're not paralyzed…you're tied to the bed so you won't disturb the wires and tubes. Look at my eyes. Do I look worried?" She smoothed back his hair. "The ventilator is only temporary."
Eileen interjected, "Actually, I'm going to remove it as soon as I finish noting his vitals. You're doing good…keep talking him down."
"Honey…" Carrie moved in closer. "Your spleen was ruptured and you were bleeding internally, that's why you needed surgery but the doctors repaired your spleen and you're going to be good as new." She placed a soft kiss on his clammy forehead. "You're okay…really. You know I wouldn't lie to you." Gazing into his eyes she whispered, "I love you, Nicky. You gave me quite a scare, but I'm not scared anymore and you shouldn't be either. You're going to be fine." She brushed his bruised cheek with her fingertips. "We're going to fine." His heart rate finally within the acceptable range, the last alarm quieted. "Two hospitals in two nights, kind of crazy, huh?" She smiled wide. "Let's make a promise…the next time we're in the hospital together it will be for the birth of our first baby…little Garrett or Megan. Deal?"
With glassy eyes Nick nodded lightly.
Reaching under the blankets Carrie found his hand and took it in hers. "Do you remember getting hurt, Honey?"
Immediately he shook his head.
"Do you remember going to The Tempest Hotel last night?"
Again he signaled in the negative.
Having snapped on a fresh pair of gloves Eileen remarked, "Sometimes there's a little memory loss surrounding a trauma. It can come back all at once, sometimes in pieces and in some cases, not at all. Don't push it."
"He's awake!" Jillian exclaimed as she hurried to join Carrie at Nick's bedside.
Eileen nodded, "And thanks to a rush of adrenaline when panicking, he's pretty alert too."
The sight of her son's open eyes activated Jillian's tears. "Welcome back, Honey." Reaching over she kissed his forehead. "You really need to stop giving your fiancée such frights. She's tough but she's not indestructible." When he nodded she said, "I love you, Nicky. Your sisters and daddy are in the lounge worrying about you. They can't wait to see you."
Ready for her task Eileen informed her patient, "Mr. Stokes, let's remove that tube and get you more comfortable. Once it's out, you'll get to talk to your fiancée in a sexy raspy voice and she can kiss you on the lips." Snapping open a towel, she winked. "There will be a little discomfort…a little mess…a little gagging but, it will be over before you know it. Loved ones can stay or leave, that's up to you."
When Carrie saw Nick's eyes lock on hers and open wide she chuckled. "Good thinking, Honey. With my gag-reflex issue, I better leave." After a quick kiss to his forehead she hustled out of the room to update the family.
Jillian took over holding Nick's hand. "I know I'll never have to worry about your marriage, Son. Here you are covered in tubes and wires but you're worrying about your fiancée getting sick."
Ely State Prison
9:02 a.m.
"He's what!" Mike snapped at his brother, drawing the attention of the guard who was pacing around the room. Lowering his voice he whispered in a panic, "Nick can't die. None of them can die. Dammit! The plan will probably still work without Nick but, it won't be as easy because then I only have Gil and a few of the others to bolster my…are you sure he's in the ICU?"
Sitting across from his agitated brother, Ben Rodgers whispered, "Yes, that's what our contact said."
"Shit!" Mike nodded at the guard. "It's cool. I'm cool." He didn't want to lose his newly earned privilege and be forced behind the plexiglass because then they'd have to return to talking in their secret childhood code, which was a real pain in the ass. "His own brother put him in the ICU? That son of bitch…Nick told me all about Andrew William Stokes…sometimes the guy can be a real asshole. Benny, I'm really glad we have a better rapport than the Stokes boys. Beating each other…that's messed up."
"I'm glad we do too, Mike." Ben breathed a sigh of relief that his brother found sibling violence unacceptable.
Still seething Mike grumbled, "Dammit, I could kill him for hurting Nick." Rubbing his temples he pondered the situation. "This is highly disappointing."
"Sorry to bum you out, Bro."
"Yeah, well…life's a bitch sometimes." Mike lamented in silence for a moment then suddenly broke out into a smile. "Hey, I know what will perk me up. Let's send Nicky flowers."
Ben mirrored his brother's grin. "What do you want the card to say?"
Author's Notes:
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Thanks for the review Misty J!
Next Chapter: Greg has a new crazy idea…Carrie faces some challenges while she stands by her man…Sara and Gil have to dash into the field…Paul Blake gets a surprise...Catherine does better at negotiating someone else's business than her own…Irving reveals a shocking secret…and Jim Brass takes a trip to Ely. Posting: Late Tuesdsay.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Maggs