Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 18
August 31, 2005
The Mandalay Bay
10:16 p.m.
"Wow," was all Gil could muster while rolling onto his back.
"It wasn't flu sex but it was up there," Sara joked. Immediately a pillow landed on her face. "Was it really my gushing over your pictures that got you so revved up?"
"I think it was being under my dad's roof." Reclaiming his pillow he fluffed it. "I felt seventeen again."
"Uh…" Sara let her laughter flow, "When you were seventeen you weren't living with your father nor having sex with girls."
Like a naughty school boy he replied, "I was if you count the girls in my magazines."
"I'm so glad I'm not a teenager anymore," Sara remarked while making a beeline for the bathroom.
"Being a pregnant thirty something with an overactive bladder is more appealing?"
"Hell, yeah." Sara left the door open a crack so the conversation could continue. "I can live vicariously through Sean's pain if I get nostalgic for being a pubescent outcast."
"Have you decided if you're coming to the body farm when I take him?"
"I really don't think the baby needs to see that place. How about I just meet you for ice cream and pickles afterwards?"
"Chicken."
"Ooh." Returning to the room she grabbed her husband's t-shirt and tossed it on. "I'd love some chicken. I'm starving." Hopping on the bed she asked, "Where's that room service binder?"
From his nightstand drawer he retrieved the book. "You're getting spoiled living here."
"Considering what I let you do to me tonight, I'd say so are you."
With a Cheshire grin he said, "I don't recall you complaining. Unless I misunderstood you, when you groaned...'yes…just like that…ooooh, perfect!' Or was that some kind of code for 'please stop I'm bored'?"
"I was faking," she said behind the menu.
"Yeah…right." Gil chuckled as he propped up on his elbow.
"What?" Lowering the book she asked with a straight face. "You don't think I've ever faked one with you?"
"No."
She returned the book to block her grin.
"Have you?"
"Yep. Several times…but not tonight." She winked. "That was organic satisfaction."
Snatching the book from her hands Gil demanded, "When did you fake?"
Suddenly regretting the honesty she turned her eyes to the ceiling. "Um…I don't have exact dates."
"You remember the day you almost adopted a cat but not the days you faked orgasms for me?" His brows knitted. "Why would you fake one?"
"It had nothing to do with your performance if that's what you're worried about."
"Sara…" he gaped at her. "Of course that's what I'm worried about! What guy wouldn't automatically jump to that conclusion? Hell, Nick would probably be heading for the roof to jump if he were in my position right now."
Dropping back onto the pillows she quickly mumbled, "Okay…okay…I did it because you were in the mood and although I was in the mood to let you have your way, I didn't feel like going the extra distance myself because I had a lot on my mind from work but, I knew you'd feel badly if I didn't so…I pretended I did so you wouldn't be disappointed." Returning her gaze to his she smiled sweetly. "Nobody was left unsatisfied or unhappy so what's the big deal?"
The frustration in his voice rising he snipped, "Because now I won't know if you are or aren't."
"I promise to tell you," she answered while trying not to laugh.
"Sara…" Shaking his head Gil held up his hands. "Why bother faking if you're going to tell me you are?"
"I realized it was quite a stupid thing to say right after the words left my mouth." Releasing her trapped laugh she asked, "So you won't be offended if sometimes I say, 'Honey, just go to town and don't worry about me'?"
"Are you kidding? That's really every guy's dream isn't it?" he joked. "Aside from the two girls at once fantasy."
"Since we're being honest…were you ever with two women at once?"
"Many times…"
"Really?" She had figured the answer would most certainly be no.
Gil's laughter intensified. "Yeah…one girl on the left side of the magazine page, and the other one on the right."
Grabbing a pillow she swatted him.
"Hey!"
Crime Lab – Warrick's Office
10:22 p.m.
When he saw Catherine walking by his window staring at a report, Warrick called out, "Hey, Cath!"
"Yeah?" Removing her glasses she stood in the doorway.
"You want some of this before I start in?" He pointed to the burrito on his desk. "You haven't eaten."
"No appetite."
"Because of me or Lindsay?"
"You're both driving me insane."
Smiling, he reclined in his chair. "Well…then I guess you know how it feels to be me most days."
Stepping inside, she shut the door. "I think you were right the other day about this not working."
His brows rose along with his heart rate. "How so?"
She took a seat and cleared her throat, "I'm here to speak with my supervisor."
"Okay." He sat a little taller and grabbed a pen. "I'm all ears, Ms. Willows."
"I think it would be better for my personal life if I wasn't working nightshift. I need to be home with my daughter more and…there's a conflict of interest that isn't prudent, nor conducive to a very special relationship I'm in."
"Really." Tapping his pen he tried to stay in the managerial role. "Do you have a proposed solution to the problem?"
"I could transfer to Days," she suggested.
"I couldn't do that to Nick," he chuckled. "I already surprised him with Sofia and Hodges."
"Well…" Smirking, Catherine reclined in her chair. "Now that Hodges is getting laid he's much more agreeable, and since Nick and Sofia have reconciled their differences, I don't think either of them will be problems for him when he returns."
"But what about you?" Warrick asked, quite skeptically. "Why should I give my most problematic employee to my buddy? You won't be on his shift ten minutes before you're trying to barrel him over and take charge. That's a recipe for disaster, because Nick was taught to respect authority and he'll demand respect from you…but you live to break the rules so you'll push back. Worse yet…you'll try to manipulate him, because we both know that's easy to do if you know his buttons…and we both know you're an expert at button pushing. It could ruin your friendship with him…it could ruin my friendship with him. Lastly, it would also put you and Sofia together again, and Nicky doesn't need the drama. Sorry, Ms. Willows… for all parties concerned, I don't believe it's a wise move."
"What if…I extend an olive branch to Sofia and I promise to be submissive with Nick?" When he laughed hysterically Catherine snipped, "Is that the kind of response a respected supervisor should be giving?"
"Busted." Warrick's laughter slowed. "It was just so off the wall impossible to comprehend that scenario I lost my head. Okay…let's stretch our imaginations to capacity for a minute, and pretend you could do those two things…"
Amused by his amusement Catherine couldn't control her grin.
"What about your man? You'll never see him."
"I would if he switched to the open Swing Shift Supervisor position and let Pete have nights, which Pete happens to prefer over Swing."
"It's definitely open?" he said with surprise.
"You know I know everything around here first."
"Ms. Willows…" He stood and extended his hand. "Thank you for bringing your suggestions to my attention. I promise to consider them carefully, run the ideas by Supervisor Stokes and Assistant Director Brass, and respond to you in a timely manner."
"Thank you, Supervisor Brown." Standing she accepted the handshake with a smirk. "Off the record I just want to say…I'm so completely turned on right now. You've got this Supervisor thing down and that black shirt is just so..."
"Maybe submission is your hidden talent, Baby, and you've just been waiting for an opportunity to revel in it." Warrick chuckled, "Or…maybe the whole world's turning upside down."
"Hey, anything's possible. After all, Grissom is married to Sara with a baby on the way," she said with a sparkle in her eyes. "Who knows? Maybe Nick will become a millionaire overnight and Greg will return from California with his umbilical cord finally cut. "
"As an ex-gambler I'm not placing bets on either of those things to happen."
Feeling puckish she taunted, "Ahh…but if they do will you grant my shift bid?"
"You're on, Cat." He laughed from the belly. "Because it ain't gambling if there's no chance in hell I can lose."
The Sanders Home
10:35 p.m.
While Tawny was in the bathroom of the guest suite, Greg stood talking to his mother in the bedroom. "Really…I'm okay. I'm glad he figured it out in the first two minutes, now I don't have to obsess about it for days and Tawny doesn't have to pretend."
"He's already come a long way and he'll be better about it tomorrow, Honey." Hugging her jittery son she whispered in his ear. "I think it was harder because he's been so proud of you lately…this was set back, but it's only temporary. I'll work on him. By the end of the trip, I'm sure he'll see you in a whole new light, Sweetheart."
When Greg saw his father in the doorway, he quickly slipped out of his mother's embrace. "Hey, Dad…thanks again for the BBQ…everything was great…especially the shrimp."
After a quick nod he entered the room. "Uh…tomorrow, while you're with your mother doing your top secret thing that I'm not allowed to know about…I was wondering what Tawny might be interested in doing. I know she said anything is fine because she's never been here before, but I really want to do something nice for her."
"Uh…" Reading the subtext loud and clear, Greg glanced over his shoulder then said, "Dad…I can tell you the top secret thing as long as Tawny doesn't hear. I'm uh…practicing my marriage proposal."
"On your mother?" Cocking his head Scott said, "What would your therapist say about that, Son?"
Bev smacked her husband in the gut. "It's a musical proposal, you wise ass. He's rusty…I'm his vocal coach."
"You're going to sing your proposal?" He hoped his son wouldn't be wearing a puffy shirt when doing so, but since Tawny was penniless and pregnant with twins, he knew she'd say yes no matter how odd the scenario.
"I'm not singing the proposal itself," Greg replied, knowing it would shock his father. "Look…after seventeen years…I'm calling off the ban on singing in front of mom, and playing sports with you. Last week I asked Mom to arrange a tee time for us for this Sunday. So what do you say? Are you up for eighteen holes?"
Stunned, he stood gaping for moment, then it hit him. "Ah…let me guess...that's when you were planning on breaking the news about the babies. Buttering me up so…"
"Hey…" Greg quickly pointed out, "I'm asking you to play even though you already know about the babies, right? But, I'll understand if you don't want to because, I'm still a horrid golfer who will no doubt embarrass you and put everyone around us in peril."
Scott placed a hand on his son's slouching shoulder and smiled. "I'd love to golf with you…no matter how dangerous or embarrassing."
"Cool. And since Tawny bought me some nice clothes for the course, you won't have to worry about me wearing something stupid." Laughing slightly he asked, "So…on an aggravation scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest, where are you hovering right now?"
"Well…I was at a ten-plus, but now…after being reminded we could be recovering from your funeral this week instead of discussing your future...nine." Taking a deep breath he said, "Eight…maybe seven. I think after a good night's sleep I can bring it down to six." Feeling his wife's pinch he shrugged. "Probably a five."
"Oh." Tawny cinched her silk babydoll robe a little tighter when she emerged from the bathroom and saw the crowd.
"We were just saying goodnight, Sweetie." Bev crossed the room to give her a hug. In her future daughter-in-law's ear she whispered, "You work on getting Greg to chill out around his dad, and I'll get Scott to back off."
"Got it."
"We'll see you in the morning, kids." Bev followed her husband to the door. "I'm making waffles!"
"Great…night." As soon as the door shut Greg collapsed on the bed. "Oh…my…god. I really need to hide for like a day…maybe two. I know it was a shock and he's being really cool about it but, I'm so tense. He makes me so tense! Do you see how tense he makes me?"
"Greg…honestly…" She knelt on the bed looming over him. "…your Dad is a great guy and you need to chill out. His reaction wouldn't have been so drastic if he had been in the loop. You can't blame him for not trusting you when you've given him ample reason not to and it's not like you can say you were being responsible when you got me pregnant…you weren't, neither was I."
"Ugh." He looked at the truth-speaking traitor and whined, "Please…can't you enable me just for a little while?"
"No…because I'm not your mother, I'm your future wife, and unlike her…I need you to grow up." Tawny pulled back the plush comforter and sateen sheets. "Roll over…" Patting the mattress she said, "I'll give you a backrub. I want you relaxed before you fall asleep because you have work, Tucker Mifflin, Mike Rodgers, baby stress and your Dad's anger all swimming in your head. It's the perfect formula for a terrible nightmare."
Tossing his t-shirt he slid onto the sheets. "My dad was very supportive of the Amish fib. That's because he likes you and wants to protect you. That's one part of him I can fully relate to." Greg blew out a breath as Tawny returned with her massage oil and unleashed her magic fingers. "I'll chill…I promise." His eyelids lowered as her touch soothed him.
"How does that feel?" She asked while working his knots.
"Awesome, Sweetie…just what I needed."
"Think of a happy place…some place simple and safe," she cooed in his ear, hoping to plant thoughts that would induce sweet dreams. "A place where there are no bad guys…just friends and family all living happily ever after without stress."
"Mmm…" The mental exhaustion and the wine consumption catching up to him, Greg faded fast and within minutes, he was drifting off to exactly where Tawny requested…a safe, simple place, where he was living with all his friends and there wasn't a bad guy in sight…
"Morning Sweetie," Greg kissed his simply dressed wife on the cheek upon joining her in the modest kitchen of their farm house just before sunrise. "You know, when we found out that the witness protection program was sending us to Amish country I was ticked," he informed his very pregnant wife while taking a seat at the wooden table. "But now that we've been here six months I think I'm starting to get used to it."
"I love it," Tawny assured him as she pulled a fresh loaf of pumpkin bread from the oven. "After living in the middle of Sin City for years and having lech after lech leering at my naked body…I'm finding puritanical married life a dream." Slicing the steaming loaf she smiled at her husband who was still trying to grow the typical Amish beard. "All this physical labor you're doing is really bulking you up, Baby."
"I can't believe how big my biceps are." He dug into the plate of eggs and bacon Tawny set in front of him. "Nick's getting ticked that I'm catching up."
With a wink she said, "I think you're going to pass him by Spring." A knock on the door sent Tawny skipping off to answer. "Guten Morgan!" she called out to her neighbors. "Are your ears burning, Nicholas? We were just talking about you."
"Let me guess…" Nick's eyes rolled as he removed his black hat and entered the house with Carrie at his side. "Greggo was talking about his burgeoning biceps."
"You know it," he answered while holding up his milk glass. "It does a body good, Bro."
"Yeah…nice stubble, Chuckles, maybe by our one year anniversary here you'll have that beard. Mind if I use your washroom?" Without waiting for an answer he went right for it.
Carrie grabbed Tawny by the arm and whisked her away into the corner of the room. "I did it again."
"No!" Tawny giggled riotously. "You're so bad. One of these days you're going to get caught."
"Nick doesn't know about these…they're a surprise." From underneath her simple black dress she pulled out a pair of stunning strappy sandals covered in black sequins. "Won't he go nuts! Will you hide them for me until our six month wedding anniversary night?"
"Sure."
"Don't let her make you feel bad about your fetish, Carrie." Greg laughed as he stood and adjusted the black suspenders covering his purple shirt. "I have my MP3 player stowed and Tawny has a verboten portable DVD player and movie collection under one of the floor planks in the bedroom."
Nick returned to the kitchen tucking in his azure blue shirt. "Now I'm ready to raise a barn."
"Hey!" Greg pointed. "You stunk up my bathroom again, didn't you? I know you use mine because there's no electricity to run a fan and Carrie gets ticked when you stink up yours. This is the third time!"
"Third time's a charm," Nick winked and rubbed his hands together. "Damn, I'm excited. I love barn raising days."
Greg laughed at his pal. "You love everything about being here, don't you? All the hard and fast rules..."
"Are you kidding? I miss football, ESPN, X-box, beer and fast food." Taking Carrie's hand he kissed it. "And seeing my diamond on my wife's hand, but we're safe from Mike, Tucker and Nigel and that's all that matters."
"And I still get to put my ring on at night when we're alone." Carrie stole a kiss then sighed, "But…even wearing my lucky ring, I'm still not pregnant. Yesterday when Heather announced she was pregnant with Jim's baby I cried all afternoon. Now I'm the only one not expecting."
Nick lowered his head in shame. "I'm really sorry, Honey."
"I always thought you wore your jeans too tight, Bro." Greg slapped his buddy on the back. "Don't sweat it…it will probably take a few more months of loose pants to get your boys swimming fast enough again."
"Aww…" Tawny smiled supportively at their sperm-challenged friend. "Don't feel bad, Nick…most guys aren't as virile as Greg. It takes a special man to impregnate a woman with twins only ninety minutes into their first date."
A quick knock sent Tawny dashing towards the door. "Guten Morgan!" She had invited everyone over for pumpkin loaf before the barn raising. "I hear congratulations are in order, Heather. But, I'm confused. I thought you said you weren't going to join the expectant mothers club?"
Heather sashayed into the kitchen and took a seat. "When playing the role of the submissive Amish wife, I remain in character. Jim wanted sex, we were out of condoms, I couldn't say no."
"Did I hear right?" Sara asked as she stepped through the open door in her modest Amish dress. "Well…the world could use a little more Jim Brass...oh, and Heather…um…is that a new dress?"
"Yes." Heather smoothed her hands over the tight bodice. "At least I didn't have to give up wearing black along with my most of my human rights."
Jim accepted a hug from Sara. "Since Ellie can't be here…I was anxious to try the father thing again."
"I miss my family," Nick admitted.
"Me too." Carrie rested her head on her man's shoulder and sniffled.
"Not me," said Greg. "Mostly because they live with us." His mother had insisted they come along and his father was quickly appreciated as the community's dental expert. "Can someone explain how I'm in a protection program with the guy I fear the most?"
"Where's Gil, Sara?" Brass asked. "Still working on that handcrafted cradle for your future son?"
"Yes…" Smoothing her hand over the apron covering her burgeoning belly, she showed the depth of her love with a radiant smile. "He's carving out the ants on the sides."
Nick shivered, "Aren't you afraid your kid will have nightmares lying in a box covered with ants?"
"Are you kidding?" Sara laughed, "Bug love is in our child's DNA."
"I tested for it," Greg joked. "It's true."
"Sorry, we're late," Catherine announced as she entered the house licking her dry, un-colored lips. "Lindsay was giving us crap again. And can I just say for the millionth time how much I miss lipstick!"
Warrick stepped inside and removed his black hat. "Linds is counting the minutes until her rumspringa."
While Heather eyed Catherine from head to toe she asked, "Don't you think the cleavage is a bit risqué for an Amish woman?"
"Shut up."
"That's not very Amish," Carrie reminded her friend. "We're pacifists…we need to blend, remember?"
"Blending here is easy for you, Prissy." Catherine pointed to her head. "I'm not the little bonnet type. And since Warrick is the only African American Amish man…I think we're already on the cusp of standing out."
"Hey, I can't cook," Sara offered in sympathy while re-lacing her clunky black shoes. "That keeps making people whisper."
"Well, I can't quilt, but…" Heather smirked. "…no one gets the sheep to corral faster than me." She winked at Jim. "Mmm…I've still got it."
"Ready, gentleman?" Gil asked from the doorway while tipping his straw hat. "And please…let's participate in this barn raising without causing problems or drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves like last time…that means you, Greg. I got word that a man was snooping around town asking questions about the community yesterday."
"Do you think it was one of Mike's minions?" Greg asked in a jittery voice while his pulse notched.
Holding up his hand Brass cautioned, "Let's not jump to conclusions. You know Gil is overly paranoid when it comes to Rodgers. And since no one did anything to blow our cover…we have nothing to worry about."
Lowering the parenting magazine Bev had given her Tawny listened to her stressed man's breathing quicken. "Greg?" Worrying he was slipping into a nightmare she snuggled close. "Sweetie…" When she heard him babbling incoherently, she gently ran her fingertips through his golden hair. "Greg..."
"Greg!" Tawny shrieked as she held her stomach. "Help me!"
"Tawny!" When he came to Greg realized he had been tied to the frame of a wood barn wall and was standing atop a pile of lumber. "What's that smell?"
"Gasoline," Tucker Mifflin answered while shaking out the last of the cans contents at his enemy's feet. "You're gonna light up like a Christmas Tree, Farmboy."
"Greg!" Sara's voice echoed in the valley. "Help us! He's going to kill Gil!"
When Greg turned he saw Mike Rodgers had Gil and Sara tied to trees and was holding an axe in front of Grissom's throat.
"It looks like your pal Greg is tied up at the moment, Sara," Mike maniacally laughed. "Maybe try someone else.
"Nick!" she screamed.
Mike laughed harder. "Your second choice is bad too. Nick is too busy watching Nigel have fun with his sweet little wife Carrie."
Greg craned his neck just in time to see Nick stroking out. "No! Help! Brass! Warrick!"
"No can do…Chuckles," Tucker cackled. "Look…" He pointed toward a field.
"Oh my God!" Greg's eyes clamped shut from the horror. Heather and Brass being whipped by a man while Catherine and Warrick's bodies were tied to stakes for vultures to enjoy.
"Greg!" Tawny shrieked. "I'm too small to give birth naturally. I need a c-section!" Falling to her knees she sobbed and held out her bloody hands. "I'm dying, Greg. There won't be a happily ever after for us."
"Tawny!" He struggled to get free. "This can't be happening! We were supposed to be safe here. Why is this happening!"
Scott Sanders stepped in front of his son. "You know the answer to that Greg. All of this…" He pointed to each of the horrendous scenes. "…is your doing because were reckless."
"What?" Sweat ran down Greg's face and mixed with his tears. "I didn't…"
"Yes, you did," Scott calmly informed him. "You bought a new lithium battery for your MP3 player in town yesterday and were seen…you blew your cover." Shaking his head he sighed, "All because you had to listen to Prince, you selfish boy. Your friends are suffering excruciating deaths, and your wife is fighting her last breath…and it's all your doing."
Barely able to talk through his tears Greg explained, "But I didn't mean to…"
"No, you never do, Son." Scott pointed his finger. "It's always an accident isn't it, Gregory…you get a little too hyped up and stop thinking about consequences just long enough to do some serious damage. Isn't that exactly what happened the day you got Tawny pregnant? It was all about what Greg had to have at that moment. Well, this time you're paying big, you spoiled brat. Look at what you caused!" He grabbed his chin and made him see. "This is all… your… fault!"
"No!" He sobbed harder. "I never wanted to cause Tawny pain."
"You're being too hard on him, Scott!" Bev chided her husband. "He's just a little boy." Kissing her son's cheek she soothed, "Don't worry, I'll get you out of this, Sweetheart. And afterwards, I'll make you waffles."
"I don't think you can this time, Mom," he whimpered. "I'm in too deep."
Tucker walked behind Mrs. Sanders and smiled at Greg. "You can thank me for this later."
Greg helplessly watched Tucker shoot his mother.
Blowing on the tip of the smoking gun Tucker casually remarked, "Overbearing mothers get to be a real pain in the ass after while. She's been holding you back for decades, dude. She's the reason you never got laid in high school. Chicks don't like Mama's boys." Then he yelled down field, "Mister Rodgers! Did you see that!"
"Nice work, Partner!" Mike nodded approvingly as he held up the byproduct of his axe work. "I'm going to shrink the brainiac's head and keep it in a jar in my office, but I'll leave his body for the bugs because I'm not completely evil…the Bug Man would love having his body eaten by insects."
Greg watched as Mike brought the head in front of Sara's face.
"You wanna kiss your husband goodbye, Mrs. Grissom?" Mike snickered with delight. "Pucker up!"
"Greg!" Tawny sobbed, "I know about the battery…it's okay. I know you didn't mean to cause trouble." On her dying breath, she whispered, "I love you, Greg…so much and forever."
With flare Tucker lit a match in front of Greg's eyes. "And now for the grand finale…" He dropped the match and jumped back singing to the tune of The Roof is on Fire, "The Greg…The Greg…The Greg is on fire. We don't need no water, let the Mother Lover burn!"
"Did you hear that?" Bev shoved her dozing husband.
"Huh?" As Scott rolled to turn on the light he heard Tawny frantically screaming. Greg! Stop! Wake up!
In a flash they were both darting down the hall to the guest suite and when they burst into the room their breath caught as they saw their son thrashing wildly on the floor in his boxers, while Tawny tried to restrain him.
"It's a night terror," She hurriedly explained. "I can't get him to snap out of it."
"No! No!" His eyes wide with fear, Greg tried to bat out the flames. "Tawny! I'll save you!"
"I'm right here," she responded before being tossed aside by his frantic movements.
"Careful!" Bev clutched her chest as tears built in her eyes. "The babies…"
Scott rushed over, dropped to his knees and grabbed his son from behind, clutching him tightly. "Son! You're okay. You're okay!" For a minute he struggled for a control then, after a lengthy wail, Greg's body went limp in his arms. "You're okay…" Still holding him securely, Scott sat back against the wall. "Greg…" His loosened his grip slightly and brushed his son's drenched hair. "It wasn't real…it was a bad dream." In a flash he was transported back twenty years. "I've got you. You're okay." Gently he patted his cheek.
"Dad…" Glancing up he saw tears in his father's eyes. "I'm really sorry I bought the battery. You were right…it was irresponsible."
The statement didn't make sense, but Scott smiled and soothed, "I forgive you, Son." The painful memories the scenario conjured, along with the realization that Greg was more troubled than he thought, tore at his heart. "You're safe."
After a few more blinks and deep breaths Greg got his bearings. "Uh…" The realization he was being cradled in his father's arms came as a big surprise. "What…um…" He shifted his eyes around the room and saw Tawny and his mother holding each other. "Oh…I woke the house, didn't I?"
Wiping her tears that had resulted from watching Scott's loving reaction, Tawny approached smiling. "And since the window was open there's a good chance the cops are on the way too. Luckily your dad got things under control." Reaching out her hand she waited for Greg to take it and then said, "You're drenched, how about I get you to the shower?"
"Yeah." Greg let his father help him to feet. "Sorry for the freak show, Mom and Dad. It doesn't happen every night."
Scott nodded and watched his troubled boy slip into the bathroom with Tawny and quickly shut the door. Only then did he blow out a sharp breath. "That was…"
"A painful reminder of what used to be a frequent occurrence around here when he was stressed." Pointing her finger at Scott she scolded, "You need to back off. I know my son…he's at his limit. The babies are on the way and there's no going back, so let's just move forward and be supportive."
"Bev…" Scott took another cleansing breath. "Your words are also a painful reminder of what used to be a frequent occurrence around here too. Love and support does not mean coddling. It means showing him where he went wrong, teaching him how to be more responsible and…"
"And that approach made him have a night terror! Talk about familiar."
"Did you ever consider that maybe the nightmare was fueled by his guilt and not my pointing out that he messed up? Or maybe his fear is rooted in the reality that he's not prepared to handle what's ahead because he doesn't have solid coping mechanisms…and he doesn't have them because you've always solved his problems for him?"
"Are you for real?" Bev gaped at her husband. "It has nothing to do with the babies and everything to do with that god damn job he insists on keeping."
"I think you're wrong," he countered. "The first thing he said when he was half out of it and saw me was I'm really sorry for being irresponsible."
"He was telling you what he knows you want to hear."
"Or, maybe he was taking accountability for his actions like a man instead of the child you continue to want him to be." Grabbing Tawny's baby magazine from the bed he heatedly said, "He's having children of his own, Bev. Time's up! He has to grow up, so you're the one who needs to back off, not me. As I see it, he has less than seven months to go through the process and become a responsible, independent adult and that's assuming the pregnancy progresses without complication and he doesn't need to fill the role sooner. Now, I've done things your way for thirty years but, as of this minute…we're doing them my way. I don't think it's a lot to ask for after all this time." Tossing the magazine he walked to the door then turned. "And, Bev…in case you don't remember, those night terrors he used to have were the result of being picked on at school, and we both know he was picked on because of your insistence that he be quirky and not run with the pack."
In the empty room Bev took a seat on the bed. That's when she realized the sheets were drenched with her son's sweat. In her mind she knew her husband was right but in her heart she was reluctant to let go because what if she did and something terrible happened again?
"He's okay," Tawny announced when she stepped out of the bathroom. "He just needs a nice long shower."
"The sheets…" Bev stood and started stripping them. "I'll…"
"I can do it." Tawny took over on the opposite side. "I saw the extras in the linen closet."
"Oh…okay." Bev backed away. "Does he want something to drink? I could make some..."
"Don't worry…I know where the fridge is too," Tawny sweetly informed her while hoping the message was clear but not harsh.
"Alright…" She stepped into the hall and took the doorknob while staring at her husband's new ally. "I'll see you in the morning then."
"Night."
Jim Brass's Apartment
11:32p.m.
"What a shit week," Jim lamented as he lie on his bed enjoying the backrub Heather was giving him. "This is just what I needed."
"Don't you mean I am just what you needed?" Heather dug in a little deeper.
"Isn't that what I said?" he teased while grabbing her right hand to his mouth for a quick kiss. "Tasty."
"Macadamia Nut Massage Oil." Grabbing the bottle from the center of the bed she opened it and poured another dollop into her palm. "How about you release some of your mental burdens while I release your muscular ones?"
"Whispering Pines told me Ellie is scheduled to receive phone privileges tomorrow afternoon."
"Weekend visitation is only a few days away." Warming the oil in her hands she smiled, "I know you'll be there waiting for the door to open."
"I'm counting the minutes but, I'm nervous as hell."
"Because you're worried she doesn't want to talk to you?"
"That and…as long as I don't talk to her, I can assume it's all going well." Closing his eyes he tried to lose himself in her touch. "I think I've slept two hours since we left her there."
The Mandalay Bay
11:36 p.m.
Both suffering from insomnia, Ron and Gil had bumped into each other in the living room and decided to kill some time playing chess.
"So, how good would you say you are at Chess, Gil?"
"I used to play against my computer and win quite a bit."
"Back in your anti-social days?"
"Dad..." Gil glanced up after moving a pawn. "…except for the last year, my entire life was spent being anti-social."
"I'm glad I waited to see you until you were out of that phase," Ron remarked while sizing up the board. "I think it would have been a lot harder to reconcile if you were still brooding and didn't have Sara to be your voice of reason."
"I agree." He considered his father's latest move on the board and sat back rubbing his fingers across his beard. "Having a strong woman by my side is making a huge difference in my life."
"Are you okay with Lina and I…"
"I think she's too good for you," Gil replied before his father could finish. "But since it's obvious she cares deeply about you, I'll respect her judgment." He moved his rook. "And there's no denying the two of you are good together."
"Your mother and I were good together once too." Ron remarked as he slid his bishop across the board to capture one of his son's pawns. "That's what worries me. With wives two and three, love wasn't in the equation. Assets, not hearts were the only thing at risk. I guess I just have to hope the fourth time's a charm and a piece of paper won't change everything good we have."
"Are you going to ask Lina to marry you?" Gil raised a brow. "Don't you think that's pretty quick since you just officially started dating on Sunday."
"Actually…" Ron chuckled. "We weren't dating on Sunday, I made that up so she wouldn't feel awkward accompanying me to the party. We didn't officially get together until Monday night after you left with Sara to go to the hospital. Hell, by Vegas standards, is a forty-eight hour courtship considered short or just average? Of course by your standards it must seem like light speed."
Gil captured his father's pawn and then grabbed his glass of scotch.
"I'm not forty, Son, I'm seventy-two. I don't have time to waste." Smiling, Ron lifted his glass of club soda. "Besides…while it may not have been official or physical, Lina and I have been together for years. Surely you can relate to that feeling."
"Yes, indeed." Gil made his next move and shyly asked, "So…uh…are you…"
"You want to know if I'm still going strong in the sack because twenty three years from now you hope to be doing the same with your young wife. You do realize there's the same fourteen year age difference between Lina and me as you and Sara, right?"
He lied gracefully "That was not what I was going to ask."
"But now that I brought it up you want to know the answer."
"Brought it up…that's funny." Gil sipped his drink. "Forgive my pubescent behavior…I absorbed it from Greg."
"We're waiting until our wedding night."
"And when will that be?"
"Friday…" He answered, knowing it would shock his son. "…assuming she says yes when I ask her and if you and Sara are free to accompany us to the chapel I have booked for that night."
The Sanders Home
11:41 p.m.
Under the covers facing each other, Greg whispered to Tawny, "I'm really looking forward to our big date tomorrow night…our first one ever." He was desperate to focus on something positive before nodding off again.
"Me too." Tawny was thrilled that he had shifted to happier thoughts. "I can't wait to see the ocean and have a romantic candlelit dinner for two."
With a nervous laugh he said, "I better stay up all night at the Bed &Breakfast though…because I don't want to scare the other guests with my nightmare drama."
Pressing her body closer Tawny soothed, "I don't think you'll have one if we have a great time that night and don't talk about the things that stress you out." After brushing her fingertips over his cheek she bestowed a tender kiss to his lips.
Softly he said, "You know what was really cool about this particular nightmare?"
"There was something good about it?" she replied in surprise.
"Yeah…" Stroking her hair, Greg whispered, "You never stopped loving me…even when you knew it was my stupidity that caused everything bad to happen. Your last words were…" Choking up a bit he paused. "…I love you, Greg…so much and forever."
"Aww…"
"You love me unconditionally." He realized it and vocalized it at the same time.
"I do."
"Hey…" His smile unfurled. "That's what you're supposed to say at our wedding."
"Practice makes perfect, don't you think?" With a gleaming grin she waited for him to take the bait
"I do."
"That was perfect…very confident." A moment later, the caress of his lips on her mouth sent the pit of her stomach into a swirl.
University Trauma Center
11:45 p.m.
"Andy!" Nick called out loudly from bed when he couldn't rouse Carrie. "My stomach…it's…"
Flying out of his chair Andy fetched the nurse. "Nicky's complaining about his stomach," he anxiously informed Hal. "He was sleeping sound just a few minutes ago."
"It's growling, that's all." Nick noted his brother's tense expression. "Because I'm starving. Carrie is sleeping on the call button so I couldn't buzz ya, Hal. I don't think I can sleep without eating something."
"Hunger is a very good sign." Hal finished the required vitals checks then announced, "I'll grab you some Jell-o cups and juice. In the morning you'll be allowed to get a little more adventurous, Mr. Stokes."
"Great…thanks."
When Hal was gone, Andy scolded, "You scared the shit out of me yelling about your stomach, Nicky. I thought you were bleeding internally again."
"Sorry." Carefully lifting his arm out from around Carrie he whispered, "But since you're up…"
He approached the bed ready to help.
"I want to do it on my own," Nick informed him as he gingerly moved his left leg over the side of the bed. "But stick close and be prepared to catch me."
"You know it." Andy took a step away and watched his brother work through the pain. "Hey…I have this crazy idea I want to run by you."
"Shoot," he replied through a grimace.
"Lissa called twice tonight while you were dozing…"
"Really?" He paused on the edge of the bed to recoup before trying to stand.
"The first time I did most of the talking…the second time she did." Pulling up a chair Andy took a seat. "She's holding off on filing for the divorce. We're going to take some time and see if we can work through everything."
Even though he felt miserable, Nick perked up. "That's fantastic news. Not that I think you deserve it but, it's great for the sake of my nieces and nephew."
"Yeah…I don't deserve it but, Lissa wants it to work for the kids. Let me assure you…I'm gonna put both dogs in the ring and fight for my marriage."
"Better late than never I suppose." Reaching out he gently punched his brother's arm. "See…you didn't need to run it by me. You knew the right thing to do." He winked. "I'm rubbing off on you."
"Must have happened when you were clinging to me in the john." After sharing a laugh Andy said, "But that's not what I was running by you. That was just good news I was sharing with my brother. Here's the thing…there's no reason for me to stay in Chicago now that my job is gone. Lissa never cared for the winters anyway. Going back to Dallas will be too much pressure with her psycho mother in town breathing down her neck. So, I was considering relocating my family here…to Vegas, because I think having you around to coach me would increase my odds of success. Lissa thinks the world of you, and loves the idea of the kids having their uncle close by, so…what do think about that idea, Bro? It would also give you and me a chance to start over."
"I think it's an excellent plan," he answered before bursting into a smile.
"Me too," Carrie added in a sleepy voice as she sat up behind her fiancé, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Are you heading to the bathroom, Nicky?"
"Let me guess…you need to use it too?" Looking at his brother Nick said, "This always happens at home."
"Dibs!" she playfully called while slipping past him. "Besides, I'll be done before you make it half way across the room."
"Don't worry…" Nick spoke at the closed door. "That new house I'm buyin' ya will have four to choose from, Darlin'."
"Maybe I'll buy in the same neighborhood as you."
"Let's not get carried away with the togetherness thing, because I fully expect you to still get on my nerves frequently and I like my space." Nick painstakingly pulled himself standing. "Then again…once Carrie and I have kids, it would be nice for them to be near their cousins."
"You're wobbling." Without being asked Andy took his brother's arm.
"Thanks." Nick clutched the end of the bed and took a moment. "One thing..."
"Yeah?"
"Tawny will be around because she and Carrie are tight and so are Greg and I. Do you think that will be too awkward for Melissa? I mean…Carrie doesn't feel threatened socializing with women I've been with but, I was with those women prior to being with her. Your situation is vastly different."
"Hell, Nicky…there isn't a part of this that isn't awkward. We'll just add it to the list of things we have to discuss in couple's therapy." Helping his brother get started walking again Andy asked, "Hey, do you happen to know the name of a good therapist in town?"
"Several people I know use someone named Dr. Myers and rave about her." Suddenly Nick laughed, "I'm currently under the guidance of The Rubber Band Man but, he's not taking any new patients."
"Because he's got his hands full with you, huh?"
When Carrie emerged she smiled at the guys laughing together. "I can't believe how fast you're moving on with him, Nicky."
"Of course I am, Darlin'…I'm practicing what I hear the preacher preachin' every Sunday…forgiveness. See…unlike you, I stay awake at church."
"I fell asleep one time!"
The Blakes
11:57 p.m.
When Ryan arrived in the kitchen shortly before midnight he was surprised to find Sean sitting at the kitchen table in the dark. "Dude…what are you doing awake?"
"My stomach was growling because I didn't eat dinner."
"I ate dinner and my stomach is still growling. I must have burned off a lot of calories reading." Opening the fridge he salivated at the leftovers. "This cold pizza is screaming my name." He grabbed two slices and a can of organic grape soda then took a seat across from his brother. "By the way, since you laughed at the idea of me reading five chapters in one night I have news for you…I read six."
"I'm impressed." Watching his brother chomping Sean cheerily said, "I'm really glad Mom, Dad and Coach Gooden agreed to let you stay on the team and only miss one game."
"The season opener!" he snapped after swallowing his first bit of pizza. "But it's way better than being kicked off the team so, I shouldn't complain."
"Well…if you're on the bench you get to be closer to the cheerleaders," Sean pointed out, hoping it would ease the pain.
Lifting his left hand high in the air Ryan said, "Football." Then he placed his right hand three feet lower. "Girls. But thanks for trying to cheer me up."
"Girls aren't very high on my list right now either," he admitted in an uncharacteristic overshare with his brother. "Lindsay made a new friend, Celine Campbell and they've teamed up to torture me."
"Lindsay…she's a poser, Dude…and a big time liar. Two words for ya…steer clear."
"A poser?"
"Someone trying to be something they're not." Breaking into a laugh he said, "Like us with uncle Nick…me trying to be smart and you trying to be a jock."
"But you are smart, Ryan. You just choose not to apply yourself."
Clutching his soda can he replied, "Uh…is this where I'm supposed to say you really are a jock, Sean but you don't apply yourself? Because I promised Mom I wouldn't lie and…"
"It's okay. I know I'm hopeless." Sinking in his chair he confessed, "I attempted to complete my homework assignment for Uncle Nick and couldn't follow a thing they were saying on ESPN. It's like they speak an entirely different language. And what's the point of learning the vernacular anyway? It won't make me a jock."
"Uncle Nick's point is…if you can understand what guys are saying and join in a little, then you won't stand out like a sore thumb, be called a candy ass, and get your butt kicked your whole life. Trust me, he doesn't think he can change you into a jock because, he's a realist."
"Realist is a pretty big word for you," Sean said, proud of his brother.
"It's what Dad said he was when I promised never to make another bad decision for the rest of my life. I asked him what it meant."
"Ah."
Finished with his pizza Ryan wiped his hands on his boxers and said, "Forget the ESPN plays of the day. Here's what you need to know to impress Uncle Nick tomorrow."
"Wait." Sean scrambled for a pencil and paper from the kitchen counter. "Okay."
"Repeat after me…So, Uncle Nick, Saturday is A&M's season opener against Clemson. I don't know about you but, I think the Tigers are gonna get their asses kicked with Reggie McNeal QB'ing for the Aggies, because McNeal tore up the field in 2004 averaging fifty-five yards rushing and two-hundred thirty yards passing. He's da bomb!"
After scribbling furiously Sean looked up and said, "Got it. Now translate it for me."
"First off…you do know we're talking about football, right?" Upon seeing his brother's irritation Ryan laughed, "Hey! You're exasperated, aren't you?"
"Fully…not half."
"Check it out…I learned a new word today." Enjoying his brother's company for the first time in a long time Ryan enthusiastically said, "Let's back up a little and do this right. The Big Twelve is college football conference and…"
Author's Notes:
Thanks Misty J for your review!
Next chapter: Greg gets a reality check…Cath is once again flummoxed…Carrie realizes there's a side of Nick that she's never encountered and she panics (LOL but you shouldn't because it's not serious, it's funny)…Hodges has news for Grissom…Sara visits her 'Bro'…Lindsay gets a karmic lesson…and there's another 'Gil doesn't enjoy Sofia's company' scene for those of you who can't get enough of that scenario LOL you know who you are. Posting: Wednesday night
Thanks for for reading!
Maggs