Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 23
September 2, 2005
The Cliffs Bed and Breakfast
Santa Barbara, CA
6:15 a.m.
When the alarm clock sounded, Greg rolled onto his back still asleep. "Dauphinoise potatoes…kiss me…come what may."
Rushing from the bathroom, Tawny silenced the alarm. "Sunrise in forty-five, Baby!"
Because they wanted to hear the waves crashing and smell the ocean breeze while they made love the previous night, they had opened every window in the place. Now, eight hours later, the room was chilly and Tawny shivered as she snuggled up to Greg's naked body. "Morning, Chuckles," she whispered in his ear, trying to rouse him.
"Never knew it could feel like this," he mumbled while continuing to doze.
It had been a while since Tawny caught him in this hazy stage of sleep where she was able to plant thoughts in his head. "Never felt like what?" she prompted.
His eyes clamped shut, Greg half sang, half moaned, "Like I've never seen the sky before."
"Oh my gosh!" She bolted to sitting. "He's singing our song."
"I want to vanish…inside your…Dauphinoise potatoes are really creamy."
"I don't remember Christian singing the potato part, Honey." Chuckling, she straddled his hips, shook him gently and then pecked his lips. "Rise and shine, Greg. We have to get down to the beach to watch the sun come up."
"Mmm…" His heavy lids finally lifted. "Morning…"
Again she snatched a kiss. "No nightmares last night."
"Are you kidding?" Slowly he encircled her waist with his arms. "Unpleasant dreams were impossible after the perfect night we had…"
After slipping the second red spaghetti strap off Tawny's shoulder Greg swooped in for a kiss.
"Can we open all the windows so we can hear the waves below?"
Without saying a word he raced to fling open all six. "Better?" When Greg turned, he saw Tawny lying on top of the billowy bed wearing only a grin. "Oh yeah…that's better." With the white curtains snapping in the breeze, he crossed the moonlit room to join the beautiful woman beckoning him. Tossing his jacket on a chair he joked, "Suddenly I feel quite overdressed."
"I'll help you with that." Kneeling on the bed she feverishly worked to free him from his black button down while he took care of the rest.
"You look amazing in the moonlight," Greg whispered while blanketing her warm body with his. Running his fingers through her golden tresses he soulfully gazed into her eyes. "I'm having the most incredible time tonight."
"Me too." Tawny held him tight, savoring the warmth building between them. "Mmm…this place is exactly like the one in the fantasy. It's perfect."
"You're perfect." Burying his face in her neck he breathed a kiss. "This has been the best day of my life." Lifting his head Greg unfurled a smile. "But I know there are plenty of great days ahead too."
"And fantastic nights." After a series of hungry kisses Tawny gripped Greg's shoulders urging him, "Make love to me..."
"Uh oh…" Greg smacked his forehead with his palm.
"What?" With a puzzled look on her face, Tawny watched him slip out of bed. "Where are you going?"
Grabbing his jacket from the chair, Greg reached into the pocket and pulled out the condoms his father had given him as a joke. "Look what I forgot to use on our first date."
"See! It's our fate!" Tawny giggled while crashing back against the sheets. "I bet we knew each other in previous lives and every time we met, we made love, got pregnant and then fell madly in love."
"No doubt." From their suitcase Greg grabbed sweaters and jeans for both of them. "We need to head downstairs soon so, we better get dressed." Snickering, he tossed their clothes on the end of the bed then pinned her down on the mattress. "But first…if you're in the mood…I was wondering if you felt like making another one of my dreams come true." Showering her with kisses Greg confessed, "I've always wanted to make some pre-dawn quickie love while on vacation with the woman of my dreams."
Still blissed from him spoiling her all night Tawny purred, "Go for it, Baby."
The Mandalay Bay
6:32 a.m.
Gil and Ron arrived in the dining room of the suite at the same time and wearing the same blissful expression.
"Morning, Son." Ron took a seat while the hotel waiter set platters of breakfast food on the table. "I hope you're hungry, because I catered a feast this morning."
"As a matter of fact…I'm starving." Pulling out a chair he immediately grabbed a banana and peeled it.
"Why do you have such an appetite this morning?" Ron asked through a laugh.
"Why do you?"
The two men exchanged curious looks and then Ron teased, "You like it best in the morning too, huh?"
"I thought you were waiting until your wedding night?" Gil asked, realizing he sounded like a disapproving father.
Snatching a piece of whole grain toast Ron sighed, "It's not my fault that she found me irresistible. Surely Sara must act the same way around you."
"It's the Grissom man's curse," Gil quipped while selecting an egg-substitute omelet from the silver platter on the table. "What can I say? She can't keep her hands off me, Dad." When they shared a laugh he continued joking, "Yeah…you and I are just a couple of studs chowing down while our women recover from the workout we gave them this morning."
"Is that butter substitute you're slathering on your low-fat, low-cal cranberry muffin, you big tough stud?" Sara asked from her stealthy position behind her braggart of a husband.
Gil glared at his father. "You saw her behind me and goaded me into saying that, didn't you?"
"Yep."
"The truth is…" Smirking, Sara took a seat next and said to her father-in-law. "…he was so sore from getting his ass kicked by his personal trainer, all he could do was lie there while I did all the work."
"Here you go, Honey." Gil handed over his perfectly prepped muffin. "May I pour you some juice?"
"Morning," Lina greeted her soon to be official family.
The two observant CSIs in the room simultaneously saw the diamond ring glittering on her finger and Sara said, "Looks like congratulations are in order." Standing she rounded the table to hug her future mother-in-law. "I'm so happy for you."
Gil extended his hand across the table. "Congratulations, Dad. You're one lucky guy."
"Thank you." After the handshake, Ron stood to accept Sara's hug. "My son told me your social calendar was clear for this evening and I have everything arranged for five-thirty in the hotel chapel. After the ceremony…" He took Lina's hand and gave it a squeeze. "We'll be flying on my jet to San Francisco to celebrate. The jet will bring you back in time for Gil to catch some sleep before his big day at the body farm with Sean tomorrow, but Lina and I will be staying on for a short honeymoon."
Crime Lab – Warrick's Office
6:45 a.m.
After an all-nighter processing the death of a newly divorced man celebrating the end of his marriage with friends, Warrick crashed in his chair from exhaustion.
"Rough night?" Brass inquired from the doorway.
"Yeah." His answer had nothing to do with the case.
"Is Cath okay?" Brass stepped inside the office "I saw on the board that she called in."
"Uh…yeah…" Leaning back in his chair he lied, "…she needed some personal time…for Lindsay…nothing bad…school stuff."
Brass held up his hand. "You don't need to give me the details. I just glad it's not serious. We've had enough drama around here lately with Stokes and Sanders." Taking a seat he said, "So, you're off until Sunday night. Are you excited about the new house?"
"Oh yeah…it's gonna be great," he fronted while wondering if it would happen at all. "A little stressful though…you know…living with all those boxes around the house for weeks." Boxes with his name on them that might not be moved into the new house.
"I bet, especially since you just moved in there not too long ago."
Warrick nodded, realizing the situation hadn't only failed but failed rapidly.
The Beach
6:52 a.m.
After his princess graciously granted his wish for a pre-dawn quickie, which, courtesy of raging pregnancy hormones, turned into a 'semi-longie', Greg raced to get dressed, grab a blanket and get Tawny to the beach in time to watch the sunrise.
"Made it!" she jubilated while plopping down on the sand. "And can I just say you look damn hot in a sweater, jeans and bare feet, Chuckles. Unbelievable! I want you all over again," she teased while tackling him against the blanket.
"I haven't had the opportunity to wear a sweater because we've only known each other during the heat of summer." Laughing as she smooched him Greg said, "…speaking of heat…it's way too soon for me to produce some again. I'm afraid the sun will be the only thing rising on the beach for at least another hour and by then we won't be alone."
"That's okay." Snuggling up she chuckled, "Sara told me that sex on the beach was highly overrated."
"Yeah…" He playfully pinched her. "…I remember reading that in your Internet girl-chat transcript…among other shocking revelations." Rolling his eyes he said, "Like how you think only Slick Nick has the right stuff for 'The Peg', not me."
"You're still stuck on that!" For the hundredth time, she cursed herself for saving that chat on Word.
"Apparently I am," he confessed while laughing at himself. "I believe Dr. Myers would deem that a subconscious blurt."
"Sweetie, I was only repeating what I heard other women say, it's not like I would know if he was good or not. I was never comparing you to him. But if you insist I do, then I'll say this…from what I've observed about him, and what I do know about you…there are many things you do or could do better than Slick…so many it would be sunset again if I took the time to list them."
"But the infamous 'Peg' wouldn't be on the list."
"Look, a shark!" she pointed to the water and laughed at her way too obvious attempt at changing the subject.
"That's kelp, and you're terrible at diversionary tactics." Spooning her as they watched the water Greg confessed, "Getting back to your original comment…I'll have to take Sara's word for it because even though I grew up surrounded by beaches…I've never had the pleasure…or the displeasure as the case may be, of sex on the beach. I've never even made out on the beach."
"I've never built a sandcastle by the ocean."
"Now that I've done plenty of times….because you don't need a girl for that."
In a whimsical voice she taunted, "If you help me build a sandcastle, I'll make out with you."
"Deal!" Eager for both experiences, he jumped to his feet. Then he remembered a very important detail…he didn't pack buckets or shovels. "I don't have supplies."
"So typical of you," she teased. "Greg Sanders…you're a fantastic boyfriend but a terrible Boy Scout."
He shrugged. "I went to one meeting and dropped out." Suddenly his mind fired up. "I'll be right back to build your castle, Princess." Running towards the stairs leading to the B&B Greg shouted, "And by the way…Boy Scouts have to be prepared because they lack creativity. That's why I couldn't run with the pack…they couldn't handle a free thinking genius!"
The Blakes
7:33 a.m.
Unlike all the previous mornings of his life, Sean was chomping at the bit to go to school and interact with other students. Not because he had turned into a social butterfly overnight, but to prove that his success the previous day wasn't a fluke.
When Sean stepped out of his bedroom he was stunned to see his brother carrying bedding towards the laundry room. "You're doing chores?" he asked in a tone that matched his shock.
"Just my sheets, Dude." Realizing his brother had yet to wake and feel compelled to do laundry, Ryan leaned in whispering, "Here's a hint…if you can't figure out why I've recently taken up early morning sheet washing, you'll have to ask Uncle Nick."
"Oh no…what now!" His hands raced to his head. "Seriously…how much more don't I know! There can't be much more…is there?"
"Come on, Sean…my exasperation is kicking in." Ryan shook his head at his clueless brother. "They definitely covered this in the movie they show to guys in Health class. Did you go with the wrong group and watch the girl version and learn about periods instead?"
"I was at the state Geography Bee the day they showed the movie," he said with a nervous twitter in his voice.
"That explains a lot. Okay, do my laundry for me and I'll tell you." He handed over the sheets and when Sean took them he said, "You've admitted that little Sean has started to get a mind of his own…"
"But I haven't…"
"I know." Ryan held up his hand while smirking. "You haven't yet."
"I'm not going to, because I have self-control."
"Ten bucks says you will by Christmas."
Outraged, Sean blasted his brother, "How can you mention Christmasone of the holiest days of the Christian year, and…and…" He pointed to his hand. "…that, in the same conceptual sentence? I'm rather certain that's sacrilege but, I'll have to look it up to be sure."
"I didn't say you would do it on Christmas, I said by Christmas and Dude, a guy as smart as you really shouldn't get the meaning of different pronouns messed up."
"They're prepositions and…
"Hey! Are you accepting the bet or not!"
"Yes!" he heatedly informed his perverted brother. "I'll take the ten dollars I get from you, donate it to our church and pray for your depraved soul."
"Yeah, sure, whatever." Ryan started down the hall.
"Get back here!" Sean loudly whispered. "You didn't answer the original question."
"Oh, right." Ryan snickered. "You know what you don't want to do with your hand? Sometimes, when you have a real good dream…it happens all by itself while you're sleeping. The stuff gets on the sheets and I really don't want Mom touching that so…"
"Ah! My hands!" Sean dropped his brother's soiled bedding and rushed to the bathroom to scrub away the filth.
"Morning, Ryan," Wendy perkily greeted her laughing son upon appearing in the hallway. "I thought I heard your brother yelling just now. Hey…what's so funny?" Then she saw the bedding on the floor. "Are those yours?" She tried not to cringe and wish she only had sweet little girls.
In honor of his brother, Ryan responded factually, "Sean left them there before rushing into the bathroom with plans to do something with his hands."
"That's not true!" Sean came flying out of the bath defending his honor. "They're his sheets covered in his stuff!"
Just then McKenna came flying down the hall and grabbed the bedding. "Let's put this over the dining room table to make a castle! I'll be the princess!"
The Beach
7:42 a.m.
When Greg returned with two more ice buckets filled with sea water he asked in his best British accent, "What do you think of your castle, milady?"
"It's very creative." Tawny basked in happiness while watching him approach. "We're definitely going to have a great time at the beach with our kids."
"I was just thinking that when I saw you using the flowers and dolphin-shaped soap I brought down as landscaping and statues on the castle grounds." He poured the buckets of water in the moat and took a seat next to Tawny.
"We make a great team," she replied while snapping a picture of their masterpiece for her scrapbook. "Thanks for remembering to bring down my camera too. I can't wait to start filling the pages of our first album."
"Oh shoot!" Standing up he reached into his pocket. "I forgot something." His own words sent him into a fit of laughter.
"What?"
"You'll see why that was funny in a minute."
With a curious gaze she watched him grab something from the shore's edge, but couldn't see what he was doing. When he finally returned, Tawny loved the silly grin on his face. "What!"
"Every castle needs a flag." From behind his back he produced a condom still in its wrapper impaled on a stick. "This is the flag of The Kingdom of Oops."
"HA!" Now she understood why he laughed so hard when he said he forgot that particular prop. "It's perfect!"
"One more thing." Kneeling beside her he removed a piece of paper from his pocket. "They don't look exactly like us, but…it's close enough." He showed her the promotional magazine photo that he had ripped out of a 'Welcome to Santa Barbara' visitor's guide. It was a happy family of four playing on the beach. Smiling, he placed it inside the castle. "And they lived happily ever after."
"Oh…oh…" Tawny fanned her hand in front of her welling eyes. "Can you take the picture because I'm all blurry now?"
"I have a better idea." When he saw an elderly couple strolling the beach he politely waved. "Excuse me…would you mind taking a picture of us? It's our first time together at the beach."
The couple, happy to indulge the young lovers, immediately strolled over. "Certainly, young man." The woman smiled and took the camera. "Do you want your castle in it?"
"Definitely…if you could take a few different ones, that would be great. We're going to need an engagement photo very soon."
Tawny and Greg snuggled and posed just like they had done for Wendy on her front lawn.
"Those look lovely," the woman said while peeking at the digital display.
The old man, who had remained silent until now, pointed and asked, "Is that a condom you have there as a flag?"
"Uh…" Greg glanced over at Tawny and then back at the man, "The unused condom is an inside joke for us. I hope it didn't offend you." He knew from the reaction on their faces that they had instantly figured out the symbolism.
The senior couple clasped hands and the woman said, "We had to get married because of an accident too." Returning the camera she smiled. "They said we'd never make it but we just celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary."
"Yeah." The old man belly laughed. "Getting Glenda knocked up was the best damn mistake I ever made. My brother married a woman and got her pregnant two years after their wedding. She turned out to be a real witch…they divorced and she took him to the cleaners. Here I am fifty years later and happily married. It pisses him off every time he sees me and I love rubbing it in his face because he's such a jackass…pardon my French, young lady."
"Come on, Honey…let's let the kids get back to their fun. They're young and in love and don't need to hear about your idiot brother." Smiling, the woman tugged her husband toward the surf. "Take care and good luck."
"Thanks!" they both replied while looking at each other.
Bursting at the seams Tawny said, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
With horny school boy verve he replied, "That it's definitely time to make out?"
"No!" Pushing him back on the blanket she said, "That everything happens for a reason, and that couple was here while we were building a fairytale castle as a sign that everything is going to work out for us just like it worked out for them. That we're really going to get our happily ever after!"
"That's a good thought too…I mean it's an even better thought than my make out one." Knowing she wasn't buying it Greg lay back on the blanket with open arms. "Sorry, I can't focus on future dreams until I fulfill all the ones that haven't come true over the last thirty years. Make out with me at the beach! Pity me if you have to!"
"You mean like this?" She canvassed his body and planted a juicy one on his lips.
"Yes, definitely…just like that," he confirmed upon coming up for air. "After fulfilling this dream we can move onto what I've always wanted to do in a cove. There's a very nice cove just a little ways down the beach…I did my research when I picked this place."
"Okay, Chuckles," Tawny giggled as she ran her hand under his sweater. "Last night was all about making me feel special…today will be all about me spoiling you." Before she could kiss him, Greg spoke.
"That's not fair…I get a whole day but, you only get one night?"
"Are you kidding?" Nibbling on his ear she teased, "You only get one day, and then you have to spoil me for the rest of your life. Just kidding…but not really." When she went to kiss him he started rambling again.
"Actually, that seems fair since getting something from you once is exactly how I ended up getting you to stay with me for the rest of your life."
"Are we talking or making out, Chuckles?" she teased. "Hey, did you ever consider that maybe the reason girls never kissed you at the beach was that you never stopped talking long enough for them to make their move?"
"And I talk even more when I'm nervous…and I was always nervous around girls..."
"Oh yeah…I remember that well from the early days."
"Hmm…" After pondering her comments Greg said, "Maybe there was nothing wrong with me all these years after all…it was just combination of my low self-esteem and me not giving girls the opportunity."
"Give the boy a prize! I just saved you a session with Dr. Myers," Tawny cheered. "Seriously…between the nervous chatter and waiting around for Becca, you made yourself completely unavailable. Girls all over California were probably home whining." Clutching her heart she spoke in her best 'woe is me' princess voice, "If only Greg Sanders would notice me instead of that Becca girl who is too stupid to see how fantastic he is…not that she's good enough for him anyway…oh, if only that adorable Sanders boy would stop talking long enough for me to kiss him I would smooch him all night long, because he's so smart, sexy and funny…I'm totally in love with Greggy but he doesn't know I'm alive…oh what I would give for just one taste of those delicious lips!"
Grinning from ear to ear he said, "This pep talk is part of my day of spoiling isn't it?"
"You know it," she answered by whispering seductively. "And by the end of the night, Baby…I predict I'll be begging you to drive the peg home and thinking no one has ever done it as well as you."
Drew's Hotel Room
8:07 a.m.
Lying in bed reading his fourth book, Back from Betrayal, Andy pondered the latest paragraph… How well partners work through their issues and survive betrayal depends on their commitment to each other and the relationship, their pain tolerance levels, the desire to understand their own and each other's needs, and the amount of emotional and professional support available to them.
Support was plentiful. He knew his family was behind them one hundred percent and he had arranged for professional therapy to begin the next week.
In other good news, their pain tolerance levels were both quite high. They never would have made it so far in their careers if they were thin-skinned. And even after all the pain they'd given each other, they were still standing and willing to try, which he figured was an excellent sign.
The desire to understand their own and each other's needs was what caused their problems in the first place and Drew understood that would take some professional guidance. In one of the other books his mother gave him he learned that although he was the one to have the affair, Melissa's denial of affection and suggestion he find someone else was betrayal in a different form. They both had needs that were ignored and the lack of communication between them had led to disastrous results. Those issues would need to be delved into with raw honesty.
But there was good news. Drew knew the last factor, commitment to each other and the relationship was their strongest asset at the moment. They were both desperate to keep things together for the kids, to not fail in front of their families…and they were desperate to believe that with some work, they could recapture what they once had as a couple and make it better than ever. In speaking with Melissa the previous night, Drew learned that his mother had his wife reading the same six books and the mutual work had already begun...
"That's Mama for you," Drew chuckled into the phone, stunned that he could be laughing with his wife in the midst of a crisis. "She didn't tell me you'd be reading them too."
"Did she give you a specific reading order too?"
"Yes, ma'am." He glanced at the pile on the bed. "Putting the book about 'the devastating impacts divorce can have on kids' first on the list proves my mother hasn't lost her ability to present a strong opening argument. That book scared me to death."
"I lived that book as a child," she replied in a saddened tone. "We need to make this work, Drew."
"I think the fact we both agree on that point increases the odds of our success significantly."
"Me too. It's just…it still hurts so badly. I keep seeing Tawny and thinking that's what you want and I'm never going to be twenty-two and drop-dead gorgeous again. I keep thinking that now that you've had a taste of the wild life again…the life we used to live together that I'm not up for anymore…the parties, the jet-setting, the sex against every wall in the hotel suite while downing bottles of Cristal…I'm scared you'll have another craving."
Hearing the pain in her voice Drew replied, "I was partying hard and I know how it looked on the outside but…it wasn't those things I was missing, Lissa. What I was missing was a woman who wanted to be with me…a woman who was grateful for the attention I was givin' her and wanted to give the same amount back to me."
"Still…you picked a bombshell to get what you were missing."
"Absolutely," he answered candidly. "Because when a wife orders her husband to go find someone else because she won't touch him, he's gonna be damn sure he finds a woman who would make her feel jealous as hell. I was pissed, Lissa. Hell, yeah I wanted someone I knew would make you insane with envy. Not that I ever intended you to find out about her or see her, but…in my head, it worked great."
"Yeah…we really do need some professional help, don't we?"
"I've got it lined up and she comes highly recommended."
"Drew…I'm still real scared but…I'm not terrified anymore."
Irving's Apartment
8:22 a.m.
When Irving woke he panicked because he couldn't move his arms. Then he realized he was fully clothed and tied to the headboard. "Oh, yeah…now I remember…"
"See…" Irving taunted his date as they approached his door. "I may be a muscle head but I'm not controlling."
"Oh, really."
"What?"
If you're not controlling, then why are we back at your place instead of mine?" she quizzed while trying not to laugh. "And why is up to you to decide when we should share our first kiss?"
"I was just being flirtatious when I said that the other day," he playfully informed her. "You could have kissed me any time you wanted to and I wouldn't have stopped you. As a matter of fact, I would have been thrilled. But you chose to wait when I said I would kiss you at some point. Your wait was self-induced, and for a CSI you really should have better listening skills, don't you think?"
She answered the question by taking the kiss she had been longing for since their hike earlier that week.
"Sof…" he called out to the fully clothed lump sleeping in the bed next to him. "You're late for work." When she didn't budge he raised his voice. "Sof! It's after eight o'clock and you're late for work!"
"What!" She sat up brushing long blonde locks from her face.
"You were supposed to be at work over an hour ago."
"Damn!" She flew out of bed and scrambled for her purse and shoes. "I have to testify in court this morning!"
"Hey! How about untying me before you go? I think I proved that I'm not a control freak."
Breaking into a smile she strutted over to the bed. "I forgot I did that when you dared me. Sorry…it was only supposed to be for a few minutes."
"Obviously we dozed during the movie."
"We were beat after working all day and then playing tennis for hours."
Once both wrists were free Irving stood up smiling. "That's a pretty weird fetish you have Ms. Curtis…tying up fully clothed men and making them watch a PG-13 chick flick. In this town usually the guy is naked and so is everyone in the movie he's watching."
"Sorry…" Smiling with him she explained, "It was a joke…I mean…I tied you up because you said you'd prove you didn't have control issues by letting me pick the movie and tie you up but…having control over you in bed isn't a joke to me. I don't want to start something and find out one night down the road that we're not compatible because you always have to call the shots." After kissing him goodbye she admitted, "It's not you, it's me. I've been down that road before with a guy I really liked, and it sucked." As she walked out of the bedroom, her thoughts turned to the night of the blow up…
"Starting the party without me?" Nick said through a smile as he returned to the room from paying the angry cabbie.
Stripped down to her black satin undergarments, Sofia patted the mattress. "I'm in law enforcement so I don't usually mingle with bad boys who stiff cab drivers but, I'll make an exception today if you promise to do exactly as I say."
"I'll try my best," he remarked while shucking his blue sweater and sliding onto the bed next to her. "Have I let you down yet, Sweetheart?"
"Not once," she confirmed while outlining the curve of his sexy smile. "What about me? Have I let you down yet?"
Grabbing her hand he kissed the tips of her fingers. "The answer must be no or I wouldn't be here."
"Yeah…if you keep ending up in my bed every day I'm going to have to start charging you rent," she teased.
"What? What are you talking about?" he chuckled. "When was the last time I slept here?"
"Yesterday."
"Okay…but before that?" he playfully retorted.
"The day before yesterday."
Laughing he rolled onto his back. "Oh shit. How did I let that happen?"
"What?" Propping up on her elbow Sofia needled, "Three days in a row in the same woman's bed…is that some kind of record for you, Stokes?"
"It is actually."
"Do you think there's some significance?" she stared him down waiting for an answer.
"I'm sure I don't know." Reaching up he brushed an errant strand of hair from her cheek. "I'll just blame you…for making me feel too comfortable here."
"Funny you should say that…because I've got something special planned for you tonight." Grinning, she revealed the shiny pair of silver handcuffs she was hiding under a pillow. "It's my turn to pick a game."
"What are those for?" Nick asked in a surprised tone.
She let her answer glide off her tongue while reaching for his hand. "Your wrists of course."
Pulling his hand away he cheerily informed her, "No, thanks…I do my best work unrestrained."
"That's the thing…you always do the brunt of the work. I want a turn…it's only fair." Tossing her long blonde hair off her shoulder she moved to straddle him. "So just lay back and do what I say, Bad Boy." When he jerked away Sofia blurted, "What the hell?"
"This…you know what…" Bolting off the bed he glanced around to locate his sweater. "I need to go."
"Now?" Stunned and hurt by his sudden change of heart, she gaped at him while he pulled on his sweater. "You come to my place, toss your shirt, climb into bed with me and then you tell me you need to go? What the hell, Stokes! Oh…I get it. You wanted to play the same old game and because I don't, you're going to take your toys and run from the sandbox."
"What?" He straightened out his sweater and in a tequila haze, steadied himself by holding onto her dresser. "No, that's no…I'm just suddenly… not in the mood."
Dangling the cuffs she chided, "You would love playing cop, snapping these around my wrists and telling me to spread 'em, but not the other way around. Here…prove me wrong." She opened one lock. "Come on…show me you believe in equal rights and aren't just another closed-minded boy from the ranch…" Leaving the bed she strutted tipsily towards him. "I promise you'll enjoy it."
Even though his reflexes were slowed from the alcohol flowing through his veins, Nick managed to move his hand just in time to escape the steel aimed at his wrist. "I said I'm not in the mood, so back the hell off!"
"Excuse me!" Outraged, she thrust her index finger toward her bedroom door. "Suddenly I'm not in the mood for you, so get the hell out of my bedroom!"
"Exactly what I was planning on doing," he informed her while hustling out of the room.
Pissed off and piss drunk she shouted while chasing him out, "And don't think you're ever coming here ever again you chauvinistic…control-freak…asshole! And another thing…"
"Not a problem!" After walking through the front door, he slammed it behind him.
Whipping open the door she marched into the hall in her risqué underwear. "Yo! Caveman! Nice controlling move…slamming the door in my face while I'm still talking!"
"What! You kicked me out!" At the end of the hall he tossed up his hands and laughed, "But hey…say whatever the hell you'd like. It's a free country... and because it is, I don't have to stand around and listen to you scream at me because I wasn't in the mood for sex."
"You expect me to believe that you weren't in the mood for sex when you tossed your clothes and climbed into my bed? HA!" Stuffing her hands on her underwear clad hips she yelled, "What you weren't in the mood for was a woman being in charge of the action. We both know that if I had handed you the cuffs to put on me, you'd be in there screwing my brains out!" Incensed she stomped toward him. "You have a lot of god damn nerve not indulging me after everything I've done for you…I slept with another woman for you and you can't let me have my way one time! I can't believe the way you're acting over something as trivial as cuffs when we've…"
"Oh! Oh!" Backing up against the wall he yelled, "You did it for me? I don't recall asking you to do anything for me or against your will. The opportunity spontaneously presented itself, I asked you if you were game, and you said yes! Specifically,you said you were up for trying something new and that you've always been curious about being with a woman See, that's the critical difference here. I asked you in advance. I didn't have a woman hiding in my bed and wait until you crawled under the covers to yell 'Surprise! You're doin' a chick tonight whether you're up for it or not!' When you pulled those cuffs on me out of the blue, I politely declined and you ignored me! So who really is the control freak here, huh! I don't think it's me! I think it's the person not taking no for an answer!" Glaring at her he snapped, "And how dare you say I forced you to do something for me!"
"Would you stop popping blood vessels for a second and listen to me! That's not what I meant. You didn't coerce me to anything." Seething, she moved closer, putting herself between him and the stairs. "I meant that I did that and other things for you because I wanted to do something fun for you…something I knew you'd enjoy and I didn't mind experimenting with you for that reason. But normally when two people are in a relationship they take turns doing things for each other that..."
"Well there's your mistake…" Trapped in the corner of the hallway, Nick defensively replied, "…we're not in a relationship. Unless getting tanked before ripping each other's clothes off is your definition of a relationship."
"All we drank yesterday was coffee," she coolly replied. "And I recall you being stone cold sober when you showed up on my doorstep and asked if you could stay."
After an awkward pause Nick snapped, "Look…you're not my girlfriend, Sofia. The three days in a row was…I don't know what that was…but after what just..." Without warning, his voice turned icy. "I really thought you understood that you're just someone I screw for..." The smack of her slap knocked him off balance. "May I leave now, Ms. Curtis?" he asked in a submissive tone while rubbing his cheek. "I'm asking for permission, because I wouldn't want you to think I'm too controlling."
"By all means…go!" Fuming, she stepped aside.
"I thought that would get you to back off," he muttered while rushing by.
As he hurried down the stairs she yelled, "It's a busy bus route out front, Stokes…please forget to look both ways before you cross the street."
University Trauma Center
8:31 a.m.
"I'm glad you're back, Hal," Nick informed his burly male nurse. "That night nurse Amber was cute as hell but…damn, she was rough, not to mention stealthy. I woke up from a sound sleep to find her practically on top of me. I was seriously missing you by sunrise."
Chuckling, Hal lifted his patient's Aggie t-shirt to check his dressing. "Does this new found closeness mean you'll be okay with me setting you up for a shower? Because I gotta tell ya, Buddy…you're ripe."
"Living half my life in locker rooms, I've showered next to plenty of guys. I don't have a problem with that." Sitting up slowly he explained, "It was the embracing me while I pee thing that freaked me out, because that was new. Don't take it personally, he joked. "I don't even let Carrie do that."
"Where is your fiancée this morning?" Hal inquired while walking to the bathroom to warm the shower.
"She had some business to take care of and I told her I'd be fine here on my own. I wanted her to get a good night's sleep and not wake up with a kink in her neck."
"You okay?" Hal asked after exiting the bathroom and seeing his patient gripping the end of the bed and wincing.
"Yeah…I'm just real sore 'cause I didn't take my pain meds since early last night."
"Why not?"
Laughing he replied, "I didn't want to be knocked out with Nurse Nasty lurking in the shadows."
"You ready for something now?"
After breathing through the pain he nodded. "Make it a double."
Dr. Myers Office
8:59 a.m.
Sitting in the waiting room, Catherine stared at Lindsay who had her iPod blasting in her ears, while watching fish dart around a beautiful aquarium.
Catherine knew watching fish was supposed to make people relax, but she saw nothing but tension in her daughter's body.
When the door to the doctor's office opened, Lindsay gripped the arms of her chair. The thought of seeing a psychiatrist terrified her, but upon seeing the friendly looking older woman wearing an non-intimidating pale green suit with a pretty rhinestone broach, her nerves eased ever so slightly.
"Catherine…Lindsay…I'm Dr. Sylvia Myers." She extended her hand and a smile. "It's very nice to meet you."
Catherine crossed the room and returned the greeting. "I've heard only great things about you from my dysfunctional friends. I only hope you can do for my daughter and me what you seem to be doing for them."
"I can't do it alone," Dr. Myers remarked, while moving to the fish tank to greet the skittish daughter. "You have to work for it. Which fish is your favorite?" the doctor sweetly inquired.
"Is that some kind of psycho test? I tell you I like the big black one and I'm hours away from offing myself?" Lindsay pointed to the tank and spoke in her sweetest voice. "I like the pretty red and yellow one with all the frills that looks like it doesn't have a care in the world."
The doctor nodded. "That's a Samoan Fighting Fish and it looks happy because it just devoured two smaller fish. The black fish is a big sweet thing." She winked. "Looks can be deceiving and fish, like people, should never be judged by their appearance." Smiling she returned to her door. "Let's get started shall we…"
Crime Lab
9:06 a.m.
"Sorry!" Sofia shouted as she rushed into Brass's office and over to the table where Jim and Grissom were reviewing the case. "I'm very sorry, the alarm didn't go off. I know we're due in court at ten and I know you like to go over everything first." Breathing hard she took a seat. "I'm here…I'm ready."
"You're over two hours late for work," Grissom heatedly remarked. "And you didn't call until eight-thirty. Nick would write you up for that and so would I. It's one thing to be late, but to not call and not have your phone or pager on…especially when we're due in court."
Brass held his sarcasm in check and took the high road. "Gil…I think her record shows that this is very out of character for her and, in the absence of her regular supervisor, I'll handle things with Ms. Curtis one on one, thanks."
"Thank you, Jim." Sofia shot daggers at Grissom. "Maybe we should check the records and see how many times Sara had infractions that went undocumented while under your supervision, Gil. I can think of a huge one right off the bat."
Not amused by the direction of the conversation Grissom countered, "As the quality control officer I can think of something you shouldn't have been doing with a member of the lab. Supervisors can't supervise relatives, the second I married Sara, she moved off my shift. I didn't break any rules."
"Neither did I."
"Your interaction with a certain someone could have made people wonder if you were biased when reviewing his cases."
Rolling her eyes she snipped, "And a smart guy like you should know better than to launch stones when he lives in a glass house."
Brass shouted, "Ding! Ding! Round over and it's a draw. You were both unethical because you were boinking co-workers when you as Boinkers were in the position of critiquing your Boinkees workperformances. But since it's ancient history and no longer has relevance, can we please move along, children?"
Author's Notes:
Poor Sean…he was the state geography bee when the rest of the boys saw 'the movie' and if anyone needed to be there for it…it was him. LOL
Greg and Tawny's fun continues and Tawny is curing her man of all the doubts that plagued him over the years…her work isn't quite done. ;-)
A glimpse at the old 'pre-Mike Rodgers wake up call' and 'pre-Carrie' Nick. When he couldn't cope with Sofia's insistence on cuffs, the possibility that he was indeed forging a relationship with someone who might figure out he has issues, and couldn't escape the corner she had him in (literally and emotionally) he went with, 'Hey! I'll be an outrageous asshole and make her hate my guts so I can get the hell out of this situation ASAP'. He's come a long way since then. And Sofia really could have used Nick's lecture to the Blake Boys…always ask first before springing something new. J Now we know Uncle Nicky has always practiced what he's preached. (Note: The 1st part of that flashback, up until Nick walks out of the apartment, was shown before in FS 88 but, it was from Nick's perspective, now it's Sofia's. Everything outside of her apartment is new.)
Gil…so busted by his wife. The problem is, will his DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) prevent him from having a wonderful time in San Fran. ;-)
Dr. Myers has her work cut out for her with those two new patients.
Next Chapter: Carrie shows up at the hospital with something to share with Nick…Dr. Myers gets to know her new patients…Sean gets a shock at Butterfield…Greg's day just keeps getting better…Gil and Sara work a scene together…Ron finds a way to pass the time until the wedding ceremony…Posting: Wednesday morning (US MST)
Carrie shows up at the hospital with something to share with Nick…Dr. Myers gets to know her new patients…Sean gets a shock at Butterfield…Greg's day just keeps getting better…Gil and Sara work a scene together…Ron finds a way to pass the time until the wedding ceremony… Wednesday morning (US MST)Thanks Rojaji for letting me know you enjoyed the last chapter.
Thanks everyone for reading,
Maggs