Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 24
September 2, 2005
University Trauma Center
9:03 a.m.
"Finally!" Nick exclaimed when he saw Carrie step into his room and shut the door behind her. "I was getting worried."
"Sorry." Placing her messenger bag by his feet, she climbed into bed with him. "I decided to take a kickboxing class this morning and I needed to go home and clean up before coming here."
"I cleaned up too," he boasted. "Brushed my teeth and everything."
"Is that a hint?"
"Yes, ma'am." His palm caressed her cheek. "I'm used to waking up with you in my arms…I missed you this morning."
"I missed you too." Staring into his contented eyes she granted him the kiss. "Mmm…that was nice."
"So what made you take a kickboxing class this morning?" he asked after smacking his satisfied lips.
"Before I met you I took five kickboxing classes a week." Resting her head on his shoulder she sighed, "It helped me release tension built up on the job. Nicky…how are you feeling this morning? Are you feeling good?"
"Great now that my meds have kicked in and you're here." He snuggled her closer. "And now that you've kissed me."
"Really?"
"What's going on?" He gently turned her head to study her eyes. "You went kickboxing but I can still feel tension in your body."
The knowledge of what she had to tell him was making her gut churn, so she didn't beat around the bush. "Last night your mother told me you were upset that you got sidelined with an injury because you planned on using your time off to pursue Shelly."
His smile evaporating Nick grumbled, "And I can't take more time off once I'm better because I've missed so much already. I'll have to do it long distance or…"
"Nicky…there's something you don't know…" Taking his hand she gave it a squeeze. "Your mother has been pursuing her on your behalf. She hired a private investigator the day after you told her your secret. Some guy with a phenomenal reputation for discretion and immediate results…the best money could buy. She planned on telling you, but then you were injured, and until now she was worried you weren't strong enough."
After nervously clearing his throat Nick quietly replied, "Okay…uh…let's hear it. What did she find out?"
"The thing is…your mom is a much bigger hard ass than me…she thinks you're ready, but I'm worried about putting you through too much stress while you're still recuperating." But she knew realistically it couldn't be kept from him because his mom had disappeared without warning and that would need to be explained.
"I'll be fine…really. And doing nothing about her is stressin' me more." He glanced up. "Did you ask my mom to wait outside?"
"No."
Not masking his disappointment Nick said, "She didn't want to be here?"
"She's on her way to Chicago with your brother."
"Oh." He nodded. "Oh…of course…she wants to help Andy and Melissa. Yeah…I'm sure she wants to help them so they can get out here as soon as possible and start rebuilding for the kids sake. Yeah…that makes sense."
Since it was too soon to tell him why Jillian was really going to Chicago, Carrie nodded and moved on, donning her prosecutor's hat. "We'll start out slowly and you tell me when you need a break." She reached for her messenger bag and unzipped it. "To ensure your privacy, I have a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door and Hal knows not to come in."
Nick was certain that if he were still connected to a pulse-ox monitor that it would be beeping. "Okay."
Clutching the file Carrie calmly said, "I've done this countless times with strangers and I know you have too so, you know this…identification can be a very difficult moment for the victim. Feel free to cut yourself some slack."
"You have a picture of her in there?" He took a shallow breath.
"Yes...one taken the same year as your assault." Only seconds in and her professional façade was slipping and her emotions peeking through. "Now…as you know, since too much time has elapsed there are no criminal prosecution avenues available to you. We're doing this formal identification to be absolutely sure we've got the right woman…and because identifying your attacker out loud is a critical step in the recovery process." Her tone morphing from professional to loving she softly said, "Nicky…you haven't seen her face since that night, so don't be surprised if it hits you pretty hard. It's okay not to be a tough guy here…as a matter of fact it's healthy and normal to get emotional." Tenderly she kissed his cheek. "Like always…I'm right here for you."
"I know...um…just give me a sec, okay? I didn't expect this today and I want to..."
"Take all the time you need," she assured him while holding his hand.
After a third deep breath Nick nodded, "Okay…let me see it."
"I always warn people when the photo of their abuser is a happy photo because it can make things even more unnerving. So, be prepared, she's smiling in the picture." With that she retrieved the color photo from the file and turned it for him to see. "Is this the woman who sexually assaulted you?" Carrie saw his eyes widen as he studied the pain-triggering image.
Shelly looked exactly the same as she did that night, he swore she was even wearing the same top. "Uh…" Staring at the photo he heard her laughing at him and it caused his pulse to notch. "It's…" The sparkle in her eyes was the same he had seen when she had him pinned. "Yes."
"Yes, what?" Carrie gently prodded while gliding her palm over his back.
"Yes…" he gulped. "…that is the woman who sexually assaulted me." With a shaky hand he took the photo. "That's her…that's definitely her. That smile is etched in my brain. She smiled the whole night…even during…especially during." Reconnecting with Carrie's gaze he nodded. "That's her." He blew out a heavy breath and handed back the photo. "And that gold cross she's wearing..." Closing his eyes he shuddered. "I remember that dangling over my face. I remember thinking, how could she wear that and…"
She smoothed her palm over his back. "Take as long as you need, Honey. You tell me when you're ready for more." Carrie was thankful he was holding up well, not shedding a tear or getting outraged, because she knew the next part would shatter him.
Silence dominated the room for a while and then Nick remarked in a distant voice, "My mom is on her way to Chicago but it's not to help my brother and Melissa, is it?"
With both hands she held his. "I'm not keeping anything from you…I'm just trying to do things in the right order as quickly and gently as possible. She's going to Naperville to meet with the DuPage County DA…and here's why." Moving one of her hands she pulled out the next photo and handed it to him. "That's Carson Treymore…he's ten years old and currently a student of Shelly's and a player on her soccer team."
His body lightly trembling, Nick studied the school photo of the boy. "His eyes…they look vacant."
"His father was accidentally killed on a hunting trip about a month before that was taken in March."
"Oh…that would…" Knowing there had to be more, he tensed.
Removing the photo from Nick's hands, Carrie informed him, "He has three little sisters and his mother is working two jobs. The father's life insurance policy apparently had some restrictions, one of which was firearms usage, and since he was killed while discharging his own weapon, they didn't get any money. The mom is described as frazzled and barely making it financially." Carrie's voice began quivering. "Obviously they couldn't continue paying private school tuition, but Carson went on full scholarship thanks to a teacher advocate."
"I'm sure I know who that is," he said while his stomach churned.
"As you know from your job experience…sexual predators are very selective. They look for the right circumstances and opportunities."
"Like a kid with an overworked, overstressed mother who can't be there for him." Nick's hand went to his mouth to block the sounds trying to escape.
"Unfortunately, yes." Carrie nodded. "A mother like Mrs. Treymore who is thrilled to have a supposedly responsible adult pity her and volunteer to watch her son and make sure he gets to play soccer and go out for ice cream…and go swimming."
Although he didn't want to see it, he had to know. "What else do you have in that bag, Carrie?"
"Are you sure you…"
"Show me," he managed to get out before clamping up.
Handing over the most incriminating photo, her composure melted. "The PI uses the same type of telephoto lens that the paparazzi use to catch naked celebrities in their homes…without breeching the property…no warrant needed…he took a bunch of shots by the pool too, but this one…" It was disgustingly self explanatory. "Now you know why I had to go kickboxing."
After a few sharp breaths Nick dropped the photo on the bed and reached for his fiancée. "Car…"
"I know what you're thinking, Honey. I know." Holding him she soothed, "We've talked about this at length…but I'll tell you again. Your blurt to Catherine a couple of years ago was the first time your mind even let you acknowledge it and then you locked it away again until now. As soon as you fully acknowledged what happened you vowed to take action. That's why you called your mom out here, remember? You need to make peace…"
"In theory I know that but…it's so hard seeing her…seeing that little boy…when I had the knowledge to stop her before he had to endure any of that." Through teary eyes he stared at the photo lying on the bed. "This is the nightmare I told you about…how do I…"
Carrie turned over the photo. "Nicky…you need to believe me when I say you're not guilty of anything except being the person who ultimately brought her to justice." Caressing his damp cheek she whispered, "The authorities immediately received the same photos from an anonymous source. They're already pouncing…she's done. Do you hear me? Investigations will also open up in the two other states where she lived prior to moving to Illinois."
"It's all after the fact," he choked out.
Strengthening her tone she ordered, "You need to focus on the boys who she would have victimized after Carson Treymore, just like you focus on the victims you save when you put a murderer behind bars."
Feeling sick to his stomach Nick asked, "The boy…he doesn't look scared…why doesn't he look scared? I was terrified. He looks complacent. How could he look so unaffected while she…"
"Because it's not the first time….she's been exploiting him for a while and if she was skilled at manipulation twenty-five years ago, now she's mastered the art," Carrie answered factually as her tears built. "He probably can't see a way out…maybe he feels obligated or threatened…maybe he's complying because he doesn't want to cause trouble for his already devastated mother…we don't have an answer to that question yet."
Staring at Carrie, Nick asked, "How long do you think…"
"Probably a few months." Caving to her emotions she explained, "In a repeated abuse scenario…the mind learns to cope by disassociation. His body is there, Nicky…but his mind isn't. That's why he looks that way."
"You know that because…" In a barely audible voice he probed, "It's so hard to think of you in that situation…what did you used to think about when…" He broke down before finishing the thought.
Swallowing the lump in her throat she replied, "I pretended I had wings and flew to all sorts of wonderful places. Then one day…" She paused for a jagged breath. "…my wings stopped working and I had no choice but to stay in the moment…that's the day I found the strength to tell Paul what had been happening."
It didn't matter how many times she had reassured him previously, after seeing that photo, guilt devoured him. "How can you love me when I didn't stop the same thing that happened to you from happening to that innocent little boy? You know his pain. You know I could have spared him that pain."
"Honey…listen to me…really listen to what I'm saying." Cupping his tear stained face, a bittersweet smile found her lips. "You are stopping the same thing from happening to that boy that happened to me…you are stopping his pain. Because who knows how long it would have taken for his wings to break? And even if they did break and he ended it himself…you know first hand there's a very good chance that humiliation, fear and guilt would keep him silent." Tears streaming over her jittery smile Carrie assured him, "It's stopping today, Nicky…because of you. And I love you for that…and a million other reasons."
Clutching her tight enough for his wound to ache he choked out, "I love you so much."
"Will you do something for me?" she asked in a loving whisper.
In awe of her he affirmed, "You know I'd do anything for you, Carrie…anything."
"Okay then…close your eyes for me."
In an instant they were shut.
"Take the deepest breath you can manage and hold it."
His lungs immediately filled to capacity.
"Now, I want you to give your guilt some wings and when you breathe out, I want you to let it fly. Let that breath carry it away until it disappears. Now, Nicky…let it go. Let it go for me, but even more importantly…let it go for you." As the hot air from his lungs rushed past her ear she smiled. "Excellent. And don't worry…your guilt will be in very good company orbiting the planet with mine and Paul's and my mom and dad's, so you don't have to give it another thought. It's gone and you're moving on to the next phase…"
Dr. Myers Office
9:22 a.m.
When meeting with new patients who weren't exhibiting severe anxiety and requiring a more non-traditional approach, Dr. Myers conducted the inaugural session in phases. In phase one, she introduced herself and spoke of her credentials, methods and standards, hoping to assure the patient he or she was in good hands. In phase two she asked the patients why they sought therapy, asking specifically about goals and expectations. Phase three was tailored specifically to patient need. And finally, in phase four she directed a frank discussion about what would need to happen going forward if progress was to be made.
In couples or family therapy, when it was clear that the patients who were sitting in her chairs each believed the other couldn't communicate, she liked to employ a technique she personally referred to as 'The Wild Kingdom Approach' because the method allowed her to observe 'the creatures' in their natural environment…dysfunction.
To a seasoned professional like Dr. Myers it was an insightful tactic. To the layman however, it would look a lot like a shouting match between two people poised at the edge of their seats and sanity.
Ten minutes in, the good doctor had enough inside information to fuel a year's worth of sessions but she decided to let it go on just a bit longer.
"You're such a hypocrite, Mom!"
"You think it's easy being me!"
"You're the one who brought me into this world!"
"And for that I get you screaming at me day after day after day, telling me what a lousy mother I am! How about a little gratitude that I not only brought you into this world, but that I've been doing a damn good job keeping a roof over your head, food in your stomach and clothes on your back for thirteen years when, if it had been up to your father to support you, you would have been homeless, starving and wearing a plastic bag!"
"What about all the other things you've given me! Like insecurity! Self-esteem issues! A warped sense of judgment when it comes to sex, because I got to watch you go at it with your boyfriends on the couch all the time!"
"I never meant for you to see any of that, Lindsay!"
"But I did!"
"Is that how you're going to justify giving BJs to half the football team! By blaming me for doing it to some guy on our couch! I was a consenting adult and was with one guy at a time and I'm entitled to have a life and men in it."
"How did you hear about the football team!" Lindsay jumped from her chair. "Sean told Wendy and she called you didn't she!"
"Thank god or I would have no idea what's going on with you! Do you have any idea how devastating and humiliating that was for me!"
"It's a lie!" Tears burst from her eyes. "Did it ever occur to you that people make stuff like that up about me because they know my mother is a slut who took her clothes off for money for years! Everything that's wrong with me is wrong because you didn't show me the right way! And you didn't show me the right way because you were too busy arguing with dad, or working, or doing strangers!"
"Time out!" Dr. Myers shouted above the fray as she stepped between mother and daughter. "I think that's more than enough to clue me in on what I'm dealing with here." Handing Lindsay a handful of tissues and a package of M&Ms she smiled. "Do you need a little break?"
Nodding, Lindsay accepted both items. "Right through that door is what I call the safe zone. In couples and family therapy it's used as a place to escape for a few minutes and calm down. Would you like to go in there to eat your snack and relax for a bit while I speak with your mother?"
She nodded while wiping her tears.
"Okay." The doctor smiled. "I'll check on you shortly."
As soon as Lindsay was out of the room Catherine groaned, "I'm in hot water with you, aren't I, Doc? Yeah…" Pushing out a sigh she groaned, "Just give it to me straight up because I don't have time to waste, I need things fixed as quickly as possible."
Taking a seat next to Catherine, the doctor nodded. "Very well then…Catherine, your daughter has grown up in a drama starring her mother and she feels like an extra on the set...a bit player in the way of the Diva on center stage. In the last few minutes of discussion, do you have any idea how many times you focused on yourself and your needs by using the words 'I' or 'me' when your daughter was telling you how she felt?"
"Uh…" A nervous smile spread over Catherine's lips, "I'll play it safe and say way too many times."
"Thirteen times in less than a minute," Dr. Myers stoically informed her patient. "Do you think that's a bit much for a woman who told me at the beginning of the session that she was here to improve upon her relationship with her daughter?"
"On a scale of one to ten, how badly do I suck as a mother?"
"Right now? I'd give you a five because you are taking care of her basic needs and she's not in any physical danger."
"Do you think you can get me up to a ten?"
"Would you re-phrase that question for me?" she prompted.
Nodding, Catherine said, "If I work hard and follow your recommendations, do you think I have a shot at improving my maternal skills to a level ten?"
"Nine is as far as I'm willing to gamble." The doctor relaxed in her chair. "I find perfection is too lofty a goal for most people, myself included in case you were wondering."
Butterfield Academy
9:31 a.m.
As surprising as it was for Sean, so far things at school were perfect…not a single snide remark had been tossed his way, nor one snicker or glare. The jocks he met the day before had acknowledged him with cool head tosses and Celine remembered his name.
Opening his locker, a place he used to fear being stuffed into, Sean breathed easy.
"Hi, Sean," Barney Stempo warmly greeted. "A bunch of us Science Club students from last year are meeting on campus tomorrow at nine to build and launch rockets. It would be a great way for you to get to know everyone before the first official meeting next week."
"Sorry, I can't."
Barney shook his head. "You've gone to the dark side, haven't you?"
"No!" Sean protested, "I even bet my brother ten dollars this morning because I'm so confident I won't succumb to the temptation!"
"Huh?" Barney stared at his newest pal. "I meant you've decided to hang with the jocks."
"Oh!" He nodded. "Yes, but that's not why I can't launch rockets tomorrow." With uncontainable pride he announced, "I'll be taking a private tour of a body farm with Dr. Gil Grissom."
"You know Dr. Gil Grissom!" Barney shouted far above the din of the bustling hallway.
"Hey!" Arinna Payne, the ring leader of the ninth grade Butterfield Goths, yelled while stomping her Doc Martens towards the two jubilating boys.
Shaking in their shoes, Sean and Barney lifted their gazes to meet the nearly six foot girl's eyes.
"Did you say you know Dr. Gil Grissom?" she probed while looming over the geeks.
"Y…yes…." Sean replied as his eyes focused on the bleeding rose tattoo peeking out from under her conservative white blouse. "He…um…is a family friend. W…why?" He had heard stories of the Goths at his old school sacrificing kittens in the locker room to curse jocks and wondered if the same twisted rituals went on at Butterfield.
Bursting into a smile Arinna slapped Sean on the back. "That guy saved my brother from going to prison by proving it was another guy's DNA on the dead prostitute! My family is forever in his debt, and since you're his friend…you're mine too." She tossed her arm around his shoulders. "You're in my Biology class, right?"
"Uh huh." Glancing over his shoulder he saw Barney giving him the thumbs up.
"Wanna sit next to me?"
"Sure!" Being two years younger than everyone in the class he had been ignored the previous day.
"I can't wait to dissect a fetal pig," Arinna announced. "I want to be a coroner one day."
"Is that why you became a Goth?" he innocently asked. "To get practice cutting open flesh during vicious Satanic rituals?"
Laughing, she informed the naïve boy, "No…to piss off my dad. And the closest I've ever gotten to participating in a vicious Satanic ritual was getting a bikini wax."
Perplexed he commented, "My mom washes my sister's bikini in the machine with soap. What kind of a bikini do you have that requires special waxing?"
"Are you for real?"
Realizing he must have stumbled onto yet another sex thing, Sean burst out laughing, "Just kidding!"
"You're pretty funny for a geek."
Santa Barbara
9:43 a.m.
"Chuckles!" Tawny called into the cove from her position on the outside where she was pacing in her trendy powder blue bikini with a dark green beach towel wrapped around her hips. "How much longer? The suspense is killing me." When Greg emerged a few seconds later, Tawny released a giddy shriek. "No way! Is that the infamous puffy shirt that freaked out your dad!"
"Yes, it is," he confirmed while standing before her made up like a swashbuckler complete with head scarf, and gold earring. "I found it in my old bedroom closet yesterday and was inspired. The scarf and earring I stole from my mom like any respectable buccaneer would."
"So, this is what you always wanted to do in a cove, huh?" Grinning wildly she stepped closer. "Play pirate?"
"I borrowed your eyeliner," he laughed. "I hope you don't mind. This is a joke by the way." He laughed harder still. "I'm not trying to turn you on. My goal was to crack you up, not have my way with you."
As the waves rolled in only yards away Tawny giggled, "Except…ever since I saw Pirates of the Caribbean I've had this thing…"
"A thing?"
Coyly she confessed, "A pirate fantasy thing. Savvy?"
"You're so making that up!" Pointing at her laughing he said, "Just because you declared this as your day to spoil me doesn't mean you have to…"
"Hey! Maybe I am making it up…" Backing him into the secluded cove she rasped, "Then again…maybe I'm not." With her palms on his chest Tawny pinned him against a rocky wall and busted a gut laughing.
"I knew you were faking!"
"No!" She covered her face with her hands. "I'm laughing at myself because I really want to play this out."
"It's the pregnancy hormones," Greg replied before stealing a kiss. "But I'm more than willing to take advantage of the situation."
Batting her eyelashes as she backed away, Tawny slipped into character and shyly said, "Thank you for rescuing me after my ship sunk leaving me the sole survivor."
"Is there a reward?" he inquired with a sparkle in his eyes. "Some doubloons perhaps? You see…I'm too nice to plunder and pillage so…I'm tapped. I'm stuck in this port until I get enough loot to pay for passage out of here. I wrote my parents…but they're practicing tough love now, they told me I'd have to make it on my own."
"I wish I could help but…everything I own was on the ship." Making doe eyes she lamented, "I have no money or worldly possessions. All I have are the clothes on my back."
"I couldn't possibly ask you to remove your clothes," he replied while trying not to grin. "In pirate school I failed at capturing and ravaging women too." Shrugging he plopped down on a rock. "I need to face facts…I'm just too nice of a guy to be a pirate. I'll be stuck in this mundane seaport village forever while my fellow classmates are seeking thrills in every port."
"Please!" Tawny removed her bikini top and tossed it in Greg's direction. "It's Asha Couture and was featured in this year's Sports Illustrated. I'm sure it will fetch a handsome price at the market." Grinning she released her hair from its rhinestone clip.
A glint appeared in Greg's eyes as he saw Tawny standing topless with a tightly wrapped green towel around her waist and her golden hair cascading over her shoulders. Chuckling he remarked, "Now you look like…"
"A mermaid!" The eight year old boy shouted as he entered the cove with his sand pail. "I found a mermaid! Mom! Mom! I found a real live mermaid!"
"Ah!" Tawny rushed her hands to her breasts as Greg hurried over with her top.
The breathless mother darted in. "Jimmy Sanborn, what did I tell you about lying! And you're not to run off without…" That's when she saw the couple playing pirate and wench.
"Can we keep her in our pool!" the hysterical boy asked. "Having a mermaid would be way cooler than even Davin Wayland's Sugar Glider. Do you think Dad will say okay!"
"I'm sure your dad would be thrilled," the woman groaned.
As he lifted Tawny into his arms, Greg shouted in his best Captain Jack Sparrow voice, "No! I'm the one who swam out to rescue her from the raging sea! Argh! You can't have her, lad!" Rushing by the stunned mother and son, he yelled, "She's my mermaid! All mine!"
"He's my hero!" Tawny declared as she swooned in her swashbuckler's arms.
"I can't believe he found her in the ocean." The entranced boy glanced up at his mother. "Next year…I promise to try a lot harder at swimming lessons."
Moonlight Motel
10:01 a.m.
Photographing the blood spatter around the filthy motel pool Sara asked her husband, "Murder, accident or stupidity?" The deceased was a nineteen year old UNLV student weighing nearly three-hundred pounds. Lying on his back on the pool deck with his head cracked open while still clutching a beer bong in his left hand, he was clad only in Homer Simpson boxer shorts.
"You know I don't like to guess before reviewing the evidence." Pointing to the vast number of empty liquor bottles littering the pool area Gil cocked his head, "With this much partying going on…anything is a possibility." Smirking he said, "It could be a crime of passion."
"Yeah…I'm sure the ladies were fighting over him considering his reputation." The vic had 'I'm a Party God' written in lipstick on his chest. "Why are you insinuating yourself in this rather mundane case, Dr. Grissom?"
"With Sofia in court…Jas and Pete working that scene in Pahrump…and Greg and Nick on leave, someone had to make the sacrifice and work with the pregnant girl who can't be in the field alone for fear she'd be required to lift more than ten pounds or process a dangerous substance." Grinning he shrugged. "I'm all about sacrifice."
"Okay, martyr…" Sara smirked and pointed, "Start bagging and tagging."
"I'm on it." Setting down his camera he donned a fresh set of gloves.
"What should we get your Dad and Lina as a wedding gift?" she asked after snapping a few more shots.
"There's nothing my dad can't buy," he remarked while lifting an empty Vodka bottle.
"So it has to be something sentimental."
With tweezers Sara plucked a used condom from the vic's right fist. "Speaking of sentiment…why do you think he was holding onto this?"
"Beer bong in the left, used condom in the right…" Gil shook his head. "Celebrating a triumph?"
Sighing, Sara placed the evidence in a plastic bag. "Well…at least he went out with a bang."
The Cliffs B&B
10:09 a.m.
As Greg lay her on the rumpled bedding Tawny exclaimed, "Before I was joking…but now, after you swept me off my feet and carried me here…I'm hot for you, Captain Chuckles. Hot! Come on…show me your sword!"
"I'm hot too…dangerously hot," Greg panted as he collapsed on the bed beside her. "You may have to call 911. It's a good thing I'm a CSI and not a fireman…carrying you up those stairs almost killed me. I need to get serious with Irving again. Now I understand exactly why you had such little faith in my peg-driving ability. Sorry, Princess…I'm not even at half-mast because all my oxygen is being diverted to maintain life support functions."
"Aww…." Shucking her towel Tawny crossed the room in her bikini bottom to fetch her sweaty pirate a chilled bottle of Evian. "Drink this." Handing him the open container she straddled him. "And don't be too hard on yourself," she implored while gently rocking on his hips. "You had to carry me out of a cove…over a sandy beach…up a hill…and then climb seventeen stairs to save me from being captured by that dastardly boy and his irritated mother." Her voice lowered to a sexy rasp as she lifted her hair off her shoulders and continued her lap dance. "Mmm…I felt so safe in your strong arms and your hot breath on my neck was more than enough to make an innocent maiden like me quiver. Just thinking about me makes me hot all over." Next she took the bottle of water from his hands and poured the remainder over her bare chest. "I stand by my word…you're my hero, Captain." A smile eased over her lips. "Half-mast and rising." She winked, "I've still got it."
"And I'm thrilled I'm the only one who gets it." Ready to rumble, he tackled her against the sheets. "Thrice in twenty-four hours…that's a new record for me."
"It's the sea air…I can't get enough of you," she confessed before asking, "By the stroke of midnight I fully predict we'll be up to four or five so, you better grab an energy shake for the drive home."
"Wow…you take spoiling a guy seriously." Even with the energy drink he wasn't sure he could pull off five times in twenty-four hours. "I may have to resort to pharmaceuticals to make that happen."
"Captain…how attached are you to keep this puffy shirt intact?"
"Go for it," he urged.
Buttons flew everywhere when she ripped it open. "I've always wanted to do that."
"What a coincidence…I've always wanted to have it done to me." Fired up, he dove in for a kiss.
Feeling playful she taunted, "Is that a sword in your pocket or are you happy to see me?"
Tossing his swim trunks Greg laughed, "And my dad swore I'd never get a girl if I wore a puffy shirt and eyeliner."
"The shirt and eyeliner were repellents to keep the wrong girls away." Rolling with him she panted in between heated kisses. "You know you have the right girl now, because the puffy shirt didn't chase me off…kind of like the glass slipper only fitting Cinderella."
"Did you know that it's against the pirate code to engage in lengthy foreplay?" he stated before putting an end to the tortuous wait.
"So you did pay attention in pirate school." Tawny acted like the helpless maiden she was supposed to be. "Oh my..." Grinning, she gripped his shoulders. "I do believe you paid attention during Ravaging 101 as well. But you should know, Captain…I have a delicate condition…"
"Thanks for the reminder. I wasn't thinking with my brain." He rolled their bodies so she was in control. "I'll just admire the view while cooling off."
Moonlight Motel
10:21 a.m.
"Gil…" Sara called on her radio while staring at a pool of vomit.
"Go ahead, Sara."
"Uh…I need you back at the pool." She had sent him off to process cars in the parking lot.
"What is it?" he asked upon returning. Next he pointed to the puddle. "Uh…I don't remember that being there."
Sara caught his eyes. "I think morning sickness has begun."
"You contaminated the crime scene!"
"It just happened!" she groveled. "Seriously! Without warning!"
"Sara!" Gil clutched his forehead.
"I already took all the photos."
"But it's on the leg of one of the deck chairs with spatter on it!"
"I'm really sorry." She cringed from the horrified look on his face. "I tried to…"
"Okay…let's think about how to handle this." Pacing the deck he kept staring at the large puddle. "Of course this had to happen after eating that huge breakfast my dad ordered."
"I really shouldn't have eaten that second helping of pancakes and maple syrup."
"Well…the scent of the maple syrup is helping matters a bit." Shaking his head he chided, "You know, if it was decomp triggering this I'd have a little more respect but…"
"Hey!" She pointed to her gut. "Need I remind you that you're the one who got me pregnant! It's your spawn making me hurl."
Just then David Phillips arrived on the scene. "Am I interrupting a quarrel?"
Dr. Myers Office
10:32 a.m.
With Catherine secluded in the post-session recovery room, Dr. Myers focused on Lindsay. "Better?" she sweetly inquired after the girl polished off a cup of water. For the last half hour Lindsay had been allowed to freely express herself to her mother without Catherine interrupting.
"I didn't fool around with half the football team," Lindsay announced while crumbling her paper cup. "This bitchy girl at school made it up and said it in front of a ton of people and then Sean backed her up because he knew I got in trouble for kissing his brother Ryan the day before. Now everyone thinks I'm this big slut when in reality I've only kissed two boys…Jakeand Ryan. I still don't think my mother believes me."
"Does your mother have any reason to distrust you on these matters?" the doctor probed, already knowing the answer.
Lowering her head, Lindsay confessed, "Because of what happened in Ryan's room…because I kissed him and tackled him onto the bed and then said it was his idea."
"Why did you blame him?"
"Because I was mad that he didn't think I was pretty or popular enough to fool around with."
"Did he say that?"
"No." Glancing up with new tears spilling from her eyes Lindsay whispered, "Not with words. But he pushed me away and didn't want to touch me. A girl has to be real unattractive for a guy to toss her off him."
"Can you think of another reason why Ryan may not have wanted you touching him?"
"Oh my god…" Lindsay covered her mouth with her trembling hand. "He's gay!"
Dr. Myers smiled at the stunned girl. "I was trying to lead you to other possible explanations. Sure, that's one, but the one I was thinking of is…he's thirteen and just developing a sense of sexuality. Perhaps your aggressive moves scared him off."
"But he's a guy," Lindsay scoffed. "Guys always want action."
Leaning closer the doctor said, "You're basing your opinion on what is supposedly the societal norm…and from what you hear guys saying…but what boys say to their peers under pressure and what they're really feeling inside aren't always the same. Don't you say things at times because you want to look cool to your friends, but not really mean them?"
Her thoughts flashed to conversations with Celine while shopping. "Yeah."
"Well…what Ryan may say to his jock friends about girls may be completely different than what he really is ready to do with one. You assumed his reticence was based on something wrong with you when really…it could be based on what's right for him."
"That's really confusing."
"So many things about sex and relationships are, Lindsay. There's a reason adults urge teens to wait to explore these things…they're complicated. Human minds and bodies move through cycles of development and when someone isn't ready to move to the next level and they're forced, it can negatively impact that development. A person can develop issues…"
"I think my mom has one."
"I think you do too," Dr. Myers calmly replied. "I think you saw too much and you don't know what's normal for your age. I think you tried out on Ryan what you saw your mother doing with grown men because you thought it would make Ryan like you."
"But it backfired and now he hates me and my mom thinks I'm a slut."
"Can you think of any other reason your mom may be so upset about the rumor?"
After a moment she said what Warrick consistently told her. "She doesn't want me to have the same reputation she did."
"It's instinctual for a mother to want to protect her child."
Lindsay huffed, "Then why didn't she do a better job being a mom?"
Doctor Myers stood and grabbed one of her plaques from the wall. "Read this quote by Maya Angelou…it's a patient favorite."
"You did then what you knew how to do and when you knew better, you did better."
McCarran Airport – Las Vegas
10:41 a.m.
Waiting for his flight to Chicago, Drew cracked open his fifth prescribed self-help book, while his mother participated in yet another heated phone conversation with her friend since law school, Darlene Miller, a retired Cook County Prosecutor.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw a voluptuous blonde take a seat next to him.
"I saw you reading Mister Rogers and decided to wander over to your neighborhood," the sexy Vegas showgirl dressed in tight jeans and a crop top remarked while noting the man's fine leather shoes, Cartier watch and Texas A&M ring on his right hand. "Where's your big black hat, cowboy?"
Drew flashed a neighborly smile at the woman. "Howdy."
"Howdy." She moved a little closer and put forth her brightest smile. "So, you're a fan of Mister Rogers?"
"Big time." He returned his gaze to the page. "How can you not admire the man who once said, 'Little by little we human beings are confronted with situations that give us more and more clues that we aren't perfect'?"
"You look pretty damn perfect to me, cowboy. I like your watch too."
Winking at the young lady he replied, "My wife gave it to me as a gift on our wedding day. It has a real sweet inscription on the back. Would you like to see it? She's a very thoughtful woman. I'm counting the minutes until I'm back home with her in Chicago because I love her to pieces."
"Yeah? Did she give you a watch instead of a wedding band?" She wasn't buying that he was married.
"I lost my wedding band, but I'm hoping to be wearing one again soon." Truthfully it was in his dresser drawer at home and he intended to put it back on as soon as he returned if it was okay with Melissa.
"You wanna sit next to me on the flight?" the vixen asked while putting her best assets forward.
Turning up his drawl Drew replied, "Thank you for the kindly offer, ma'am, but I already have a pretty little lady to sit with…" He pointed to his mother, who had just caught him talking to the sexy woman and noticed she looked poised to kill. "…my Mama."
"Whoa…she looks pissed as shit."
"She's having a rough day and now she thinks I'm hooking up with you when I'm a married man." Sighing he informed the girl, "She'll more than likely haul off at you for being a home wrecker and at me for being a cheat."
"Crap! She's coming this way," the woman squeaked before jumping to her feet. "I didn't know he was married when I hit on him, and all he did was talk about loving his wife!" Then she disappeared into the crowd.
Drew stood to greet his mother. "You didn't really think I was hooking up with her, did you?" He kissed his tense mother's cheek.
"I'm can't handle games today, Andrew," Jillian snipped while sitting down.
"Sorry." He returned to his seat, cracked open the book of quotes and began making notes in it.
"Andrew…"
"Yes?"
"Would you please fetch me a bottle of water? I need to swallow a couple more Excedrin."
"Sure thing, Mama." He left his book on the chair and hustled down the hall.
Attempting to distract herself Jillian picked up her son's book and opened to the page where he had placed his pen. At the top of the page forty he had scrawled 'Good one for Lissa and me' and her eyes immediately took in the first part of Mister Rogers's quote…
Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else.
Next her gaze moved to the right page and her son's handwriting. 'To share w/ Nicky' and once again she read the quote below…
When I was a boy I used to think that strong meant having big muscles, great physical power; but the longer I live, the more I realize that real strength has much more to do with what is not seen. Real strength has to do with helping others.
University Trauma Center
11:01 a.m.
"Are you doing okay?" Carrie sweetly asked her fiancé as she held his hand walking to the sunny courtyard at the end of the hospital wing. "This is the furthest you've walked."
Wearing the new navy blue robe she had bought him and his Tevas, Nick gave her hand a squeeze and assured her, "I'm doing fine…and I know you're not just worried about me hurting physically."
"Good to know on both counts then." When she opened the door to the outdoor patio Carrie cryptically remarked, "I hope you don't mind that I invited a guest."
"A guest?" Nick glanced up and saw Ron Grissom sitting at one of the patio tables.
Carrie smiled back at her fiancé. "I thought it would help."
"God, I love you. Thank you, Darlin'." He pecked her lips before turning to greet his visitor. "Hey, Ron." Nick gingerly approached holding his side and then extended his hand. "Thanks for coming."
"I was thrilled when your fiancée called because my fiancée is busy shopping for our wedding this evening and I needed something to occupy my mind."
"Congratulations!" Carrie exclaimed along with Nick.
"Thank you. Gil and Sara are standing up for us at the chapel and then we're flying to San Francisco to celebrate for the night."
The thought of such a happy occasion warmed her heart on a traumatic day. Helping Nick ease into a chair she said, "I'll tell Sara to take plenty of pictures because you know me…I love weddings."
Once they were all seated, Ron smiled at Nick. "So…Carrie told me you couldn't wait to get started on your project."
"The mood really overcame me this morning," he replied while adjusting to a comfortable position.
"I can empathize." Smiling, Ron opened his portfolio. "I'm just like you…when I get motivated, there's no stopping me. Hence the reason I'm getting married only a day after proposing."
Pulling up a chair next to Nick, Carrie took his hand. "Nicky wanted to get married the minute after proposing."
"Of course he did," Ron told the young lady. "He didn't want you to sleep on it and change your mind."
"Absolutely." Nick's eyes focused on Carrie's. "I didn't think it was possible that she would marry the likes of me if she thought about it for a while. That's why I'm looking to increase my good karma, Ron. I want to keep her."
Putting on his business hat, Ron asked, "What are you looking to do with your new found wealth, Mr. Stokes?"
"Just so you know…I talked this over with Sara briefly this morning and she's cool with it."
Beaming with excitement, Carrie interjected, "She's thrilled with it and would love to be here, but she's working a case and couldn't get away for a lunch break because there was some kind of complication at the scene."
Ron nodded, "Don't worry then…I know I'll approve, because anything my daughter-in-law backs, I back too."
After filling his lungs with the first fresh air he had all week, Nick boasted, "We want to expand B-PaC by building a Child Crisis Center and Emergency Shelter. Carrie did a bunch of research last night and has a couple of examples of centers from other parts of the country that we think might work here in Vegas."
"How much money are we talking about to kick off this project?"
The enamored couple exchanged excited glances and then Nick answered, "Between Carrie's old settlement money…which I just found out about yesterday…" He gave her hand a squeeze. "…and what I just received as compensation for my accident, we want to kick in one point five million to start. Then we'll invest some more to help fund the project. We'll also implement the external fundraising plans you reviewed with Sara and me at the BBQ last week to keep the operation going."
Lifting his pen Ron remarked, "You know my company, IHMD, Inc, as B-PaC's Corporate Sponsor, will match your contribution and I of course will always be available to advise you for free but, you'll need to hire a skilled Project Manager right off the bat."
Nick burst into a smile, "Ron…I have the perfect guy for the job. He's a one hell of a businessman and as luck would have it…he's unemployed, moving to Vegas, and willing to work his ass off for me for peanuts. His name is Andrew Stokes and he can start on Tuesday."
Ron leaned back in his chair. "What a coincidence…that's when Tawny starts working for me. Not that they would have to interact much but…"
Carrie smiled at the mildly concerned man. "I called Tawny a few minutes before you arrived and ran it by her. She said, quote…'community service work is exactly what a guy like Drew needs to make him realize what a jackass he's been'."
Nick nodded. "I really couldn't agree more. Greg is marrying a very intuitive woman."
"Did he give her the ring?" Ron asked, hoping for the best.
"Not yet," Carrie answered while laughing. "All she knows is Greg has a special plan and the proposal will happen sometime between Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon."
Cheered up from talk of the charity project and Greg's oddness, Nick cracked up. "Yep…that sounds like Greggo. I just hope the plan isn't for his mommy to propose for him."
Santa Barbara, CA
11:10 a.m.
Standing on the balcony of the B&B, Greg shouted into the phone, "Mom! Guess what! I've been dying to tell you but I haven't had a moment away from Tawny. She's taking a shower now so…"
"What is it, Sweetheart?"
"Guess what song she wants to be our wedding song!"
"Um…"
"Come What May!" he jubilated.
"Really!"
"Really!" Greg kept glancing over his shoulder to make sure Tawny wasn't in sight. "Mom…I just wanted to say thanks for not letting me throw in the towel yesterday when I was chickening out because Tawny is going to love the proposal."
"Remember to tell your father I was a hard ass."
"I promise. And speaking of you and Dad…" He snickered into the phone. "Would the two of you mind getting lost between two and three? There's something Tawny and I would like to do and…"
"Say no more," Bev chuckled. "We'll head out at one and see you at the club for happy hour after you're through with whatever twisted thing you have planned."
"It's not twisted, Mom," he droned. "It's just not something I want to do while my parents are home."
"Okay, but I had the carpets cleaned recently so if you're going to…"
"Mom!" Greg watched the surf roll in while shaking his head. "I just want to fool around with a girl in my old room, okay? Because I never had the chance when I was a teenager. Tawny is fulfilling my old fantasies today and that's one of them."
"Aww…"
"See…I'm not a twisted sex freak." He laughed. "And I only plan on going to second with her." Laughing harder he added, "Because I'm exhausted from playing Pirate and Wench with her all morning."
"You get that from your father," she groaned. "He had me playing Jane to his Tarzan all night."
"Eww." Greg's stomach churned.
"Exactly!" Bev shouted. "So don't tell me any more details! And I was only kidding about the role play."
"So was I."
"Uh huh." Sighing, she asked, "Did you speak with Becca yet?"
"I left a message but had my phone off until now. She called three times."
"She came here last night looking for you."
"She did? What did you tell her?"
"I didn't talk to her, your father did and you lucked out, Son…he spilled the beans. Even told her you were on an overnight date. In his opinion she looked devastated…which shocked the hell out of your father, but he didn't know you had just turned her on a few days earlier."
Holding his suddenly throbbing head Greg cautiously asked, "Did you tell him that part?"
"I didn't want to ruin the positive vibe you have going with him so…no."
"Thanks." He breathed out a sigh of relief. "I love you. See you soon."
Placing her hands on his hips from behind, Tawny teased, "That better have been your Mommy on the phone you were loving, and not Becca."
"Yes, it was my mommy," Greg answered as he turned. "And don't even joke that you think I could…
"I don't have a fear in the world about your behavior. But, after you told me about what she did at Starbucks, I have a few about her. I know what bitchy, jealous girls are like, Greg...I shared a locker room with them for years." She caressed his cheek. "More importantly…I love seeing you confident and happy. I don't want her to bring you down and make you tense because I have this sneaking suspicion, once she knows her Hoj is off the market, she's gonna want you with a vengeance and not give up without a fight."
"I promise I'll make it perfectly clear to her not to waste her time. I would have already if she had given me a chance to…" The ring of his cell interrupted his words. "Speak of the devil."
Tawny seized the opportunity by snatching the phone from her man's hands and answering in the sultriest voice she could muster. "Hello, how may I help you?"
"May I speak with Greg please?"
"I'm sorry…" Tawny leaned against the rail and stared at her stunned man. "…Greg's in the shower and I'm just about to join him. I can take a message if you'd like."
"Tell him he left his boxers at my house the other day and I want to know if I should bring them to the club or leave them here for when he spends the night again."
Tawny covered the receiver and shook her head at Greg. "Oh! See! I knew it. She's playing dirty with a capital D! She's trying to make me think you slept with her so I get pissed and dump you."
"Here…" Cringing, he reached for the phone. "I'll…"
"Oh, no…I'll handle it." Returning to her sultry voice Tawny replied in a weak voice, "He left his boxers? Uh…which ones? When? It couldn't have been recently because we…"
"Abercrombie…green stripe…Monday night."
"Oh…um…I don't know…um…I can't believe my Greggy would…" She pretended to sniffle. "I have to go!" Upon hanging up she laughed.
"What exactly are you doing?" Greg stared in disbelief as Tawny returned his phone.
"Now she'll show up at the club dressed to the nines and ready to pounce, because she thinks I'm out of the picture and her Hoj is in need of a shoulder to cry on." Fluffing her hair she giggled. "This is going to be fun with a capital F for Fat Chance Becks!"
Author's Notes:
The Shelly smackdown has begun and I think it's safe to say Mama Stokes will be making sure things are handled quickly and properly. I wrote a few versions of that reveal and hope the pacing in the final cut worked as well as the gradual transition from the heavy opening to Dr. Myers to Butterfield to the beach and then the crime scene worked and wasn't too jarring. Like in reality, life is going on for everyone else while Nick enters the final phase of his childhood drama and that's why I felt comfortable having heavy and light in the same chapter.
Sean has infiltrated another group thanks to his association with the bugman! And Sean is learning! He figured out the bikini wax must be 'a sex thing' by matching Arinna's reaction to the reactions of his mother and Nick when he asked the big question. For anyone familiar with kids like Sean that's a huge social skills step.
Greg and Tawny were in there for some levity. Luckily Greg is enjoying his one day of spoiling because once those twins arrive I don't predict he'll get another day like this for a while…LOL…maybe ever.
Thanks for the review Misty-J! Good to hear you're still enjoying the story.
Next Chapter: Greg's trip to Fantasyland isn't over yet…phase two of the Shelly smackdown…find out how Gil figures out a way for Sara to work in field without fear of contaminating the scene…just how is Hodges doing after Chuck E Cheese…all the women are getting ready for a night on the town (dress photos for the visual fans)…Sean has an unexpected offer…get your first glimpse at the arrangements in the Willows/Brown household…Drew returns to Lissa…and yes FINALLY the moment has arrive – Becks and Tawny shall meet! Posting: Friday late (US MST) If it sounds like a lot, it is…10,000 words (when I've been writing 8,000) so you may need a snack and beverage lined up :-)
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Maggs