Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT

Chapter 25

September 2, 2005
Crime Lab - Grissom's Office
12:54 p.m.

When Sofia arrived she found Gil behind his desk looking somber and Sara sitting in a guest chair looking equally glum. "What's going on?"

"We had a problem this morning," he informed the Quality Control Officer. "Evidence at the scene was accidentally contaminated by CSI Sidle."

Sofia took a seat next to Sara. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention so promptly."

Gil nodded. "Well…as the Master Criminalist and the highest ranking person on the scene, it's my obligation to report such things. When Greg contaminated a scene a few months back I noted it in his personnel file and reported it to you and…" Smirking he said, "I wouldn't want you to think I'm biased in regards to my wife."

Sara handed over the incident report she signed. "I puked without warning."

"Uncontrollable morning sickness?" Sofia commented while raising her brow. "Hmm…how can we be sure it won't keep happening and lead to more contamination incidents?"

"I knew you'd ask that." Gil rubbed his hands together and cheerily said, "CSI Sidle and I have come up with a corrective action plan to ensure it won't happen again."

Sara held up the sickness bag on a chain her inventive husband had crafted for her. "I'll wear this at all times when I'm in the field until I'm beyond the spontaneous morning sickness phase."

Sofia burst out laughing. "You're making your wife wear a feed bag, Grissom?"

"In the interest of the lab's integrity…yes." He relaxed in his chair. "So let the record show…I'm a man of integrity."

Catherine's House
1:01 p.m.

After a few steadying breaths, Warrick entered through the back door of the house and stepped into the kitchen. "Cath…Linds…"

Seconds later they both arrived and Lindsay, out of breath, ran and wrapped her arms around Warrick's waist. "I knew you'd come back."

Holding the distraught girl, he stared at Catherine. "How was your session?"

"Intense." Leaning against the fridge she watched her daughter clinging to Warrick. "Where have you been?"

"Checking out of the motel I checked into yesterday."

"So you're buying the house with us!" Lindsay cheered while backing away.

Warrick place his hand on her shoulder. "Linds…can you give your mom and me a few minutes?"

"I'll do anything you want me to do!" she declared before dashing out of the room.

When her daughter was gone Catherine sighed, "You're backing out, aren't you?"

"No." He saw the surprise in her eyes and moved closer. "A friend reminded me that when things get tough a person either runs or fights. I don't want to be the type of guy who runs out the door and leaves a mess for a woman and kid…no matter how much both of them are driving me insane. I'm choosing not to be that guy…I'm choosing not to be my father. I want to buy the house and then I want us to work on making things better. In the end…maybe they won't get better and we'll have to make some tough decisions." Swallowing the lump in his throat he said, "But at least I'll be able to look at myself in the mirror and say I did everything I could to try and make things work. That I can live with…I can't live with walking out the door without trying harder to make things work."

With teary eyes, Catherine slipped her arms around his waist and rested her hand on his chest. "Thank you."

America West Airlines – Flight 412 Vegas to Chicago
1:11 p.m.

Placing his sixth and final book, Tuesdays with Morrie, on his mother's tray table, Drew said, "Thanks for the homework, Mama. I paid attention to the lessons and I predict Lissa has done the same."

"Thank you for putting a bright spot in my day," she replied while continuing to stare out the window.

"I couldn't help but overhear your phone conversation earlier, and while I may not be too smart when it comes to my personal life, I'm still an intelligent guy." Sighing, he said, "When Nicky opted not to tell Dad and me any details the other day in the hospital when we were apologizing, we didn't push."

Jillian raised a brow. "That had to come as a shock to Nicky considering all the two of you ever did was push him."

"Well…the new leaf had been turned over by that point, and you know us Stokes men…we're stubborn. Neither one of us was gonna slip up."

"Yeah." Feeling parched again, she opened a new bottle of water.

"Dad and I talked privately afterwards and we came to the same conclusion about what must have happened. When I heard you on the phone I realized we had been spot on about everything except one detail…"

Turning her head, Jillian remarked, "You thought it was a man."

"Yeah," Drew confirmed. "I never suspected a woman would do that sort of thing."

"Join the club," she replied in a voice thick with regret.

"I need to use the restroom," Drew abruptly announced and when he stood he tapped the book he had placed on his mother's tray. "Page 166…there's a little something for you."

As her son walked away, Jillian cracked open the book to the specified page and saw Drew had underlined the words of the dying man in the story…

"It's not just other people we need to forgive, Mitch," he finally whispered. We also need to forgive ourselves."

"Ourselves?"

"Yes. For all the things we didn't do. All the things we should have done. You can't get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened. That doesn't help you when you get to where I am."

University Trauma Center
1:20 p.m.

"More comfortable?" Carrie inquired when she returned to the room and saw that Nick was settled in bed.

"Absolutely…and my reply has nothing to do with my locale." Holding out his hand, he waited for her to take it. "I'm loving the forward motion instead of the backwards glance. Thanks for giving me some perspective, Sweetheart…and a supportive push in the right direction."

"Anytime," she whispered while climbing into bed. "And if you enjoy the feeling of forward motion…I think you'll love what I have to show you because you started the ball rolling."

He only now realized she was holding a folder.

"While Hal was doing his thing with you, I was busy printing something off my laptop in the University's technology center. The PI I told you about…he's still working for your mom and he emailed me something for you." Carrie handed over her file. "No need to warn you about her smiling in this picture, Honey."

When Nick flipped open the folder he saw a printed picture of Shelly being led away from her school in handcuffs surrounded by several police officers. "Would you look at that," he said as the ramifications sunk in.

"Justice is served, Nicky." She rested her head on his shoulder as he continued to gape at the photo. "Your mother has a friend, Darlene Miller, who used to work as a prosecutor in Chicago for the Cook County DA. The crime occurred in Naperville in DuPage County. Darlene Miller's son just happens to be the DA in DuPage County. Once the photos were in the hands of the authorities, your mother called Darlene and filled her in. Some serious forward motion occurred after that. The boy's mother was picked up on her way into work and brought to the station where she received word of the anonymous tip."

"That had to be hell," Nick quietly commented while closing the file. "I'll never forget the look on my mother's face when I told her."

"It was executed very well. A top notch crisis intervention team was sent to the boy's home and the mother took him out of school and brought him there. Once he realized he was safe and supported, Carson told his story. And Nicky…" Carrie gripped his hand and smiled, "…he gave the cops some phenomenal tips. Shelly has a video collection and she kept souvenirs from her vics. You know how that works with serial offenders…they love tokens and use them to engage their memories. Shelly Anson-Travers used them for something else too…Carson told authorities that she played the videos to show him how much fun the other boys were having and she called the souvenirs thank you gifts from the other boys."

Blowing out a tension-laced breath Nick said, "I wasn't expecting that part."

"There can't be a video of you, Honey. She was at your home and..."

"No…I'm talking about her reliving memories over and over again with…" Grabbing the rail he bolted up. "That bitch!"

"What is it?" His breathing was escalating and his body tensing. "Nicky..."

"She took it! Oh my God."

"Took what, Honey?" she calmly prompted while smoothing her palm over his back.

"My Most Improved Player Trophy. That bitch took it!" Rapidly he gave the details. "I told you, I was in a fog for a week after she…my mom thought I had the flu. I wouldn't sleep in my room because it gave me nightmares to be where it happened, so I slept on the couch saying it was more comfortable and I could watch TV. Finally my dad put his foot down and made me sleep in my room. That night I couldn't fall asleep so I'm pacing my room and that's when I notice my trophy was gone. I lose it…I fly out of my room screaming for Andy because he had told me being called most improved meant I was the biggest loser to begin with and he couldn't believe I'd display it on my shelf."

Carrie nodded. "That unfortunately sounds very believable."

"That's the reason I thought he took it!" Emotion building he said, "I need to get out of bed and pace this off."

A second later Carrie was standing and helping him to his feet. "What makes you think she took it?"

"What did you get this trophy for, Nick?" Shelly asked through a smile as she lifted it off the shelf. "Nick Stokes - Most Improved Player, huh?"

Lowering his head he somberly replied, "Andy said that means I was the biggest loser on the team. If you wanna see some real trophies you have to go to his room. He wins MVP every time. My dad bought him a real nice case to keep his trophies in because he ran out of room on his shelf. Andy says a small shelf will do me just fine for the rest of my life at the rate I'm goin'. He also said I should be real embarrassed to have that trophy in my room. Until he said that, I thought it was the best thing that ever happened to me."

Laying the trophy on the end of the bed she knelt down in front of forlorn boy. "Didn't I tell you big brothers don't know squat? He's just scared because one day he knows you'll improve so much that you'll be better than him. You should be very proud of that trophy…I certainly am." Smiling brightly she pulled him in for a hug. "I know I'd be honored to have that trophy."

"Oh, yeah…" Holding onto the wall Nick confidently said, "Knowing what I know now…she took it. I feel it in my gut, Carrie. You have no idea how big a deal that was in my house…the roof practically blew off from my mother screaming at Andy to give it back. I thought my sister Kendra would kill him if my parents looked the other way. Andy…he kept insisting he didn't take it and then my parents gave him a choice…

Jillian stared down her boy, "Andrew William Stokes, you have a choice to make…you either hand over Nicky's trophy or sit out Friday's playoff game."

"I'm quarterbacking that game!" Outraged at the injustice Andy screamed, "And I can't hand over something I…don't…have!"

"Don't you ever talk to your mother that way, Andrew," Bill snapped as Jillian took Nicky in her arms to comfort him.

"Sorry, Mama," he managed to get out while seething. "Look…give me a Bible and I'll swear on it…take me to grandpa's grave and I'll swear on it while I'm swearing on the Lord's wordI didn't take it and I'm innocent until I'm proven guilty."

Bill nodded at his boy. "Name one other person in this house, other than you, who ever said anything derogatory about that trophy."

Andy watched as his sisters shot daggers. "I can't, Sir."

Jillian asked, "Who told Nicky that a trophy like that doesn't belong in a house full of winners, and if it were up to you, you'd take it to the garage with the other junk?"

Staring at the floor he somberly replied, "I did, Mama."

Bill tossed a nod to his daughters. "Y'all check the garage." In a flash they disbursed.

After a deep breath Andy looked up at his disappointed mother, "Yes, I said those things, but…I stand by my word. I can't hand over something I didn't take."

Bill nodded. "Very well then…you'll inform your coach in the morning that you'll be sitting out the big game."

Andy stood tall. "Yes, Sir I'll do that. But Dad…if we ever find out what really happened to that trophy, I'll expect an apology."

Hands planted on his hips Nick shook his head in disgust. "Un-fuckin'-believable how much trouble she caused in my life and my family's in one god-damn night. But hell…what am I complaining about…Carson's family is going to be dealin' with the fallout for years just like your family did, Carrie." Walking over to the bed he stared at the picture of Shelly in cuffs. "It's killin' me that I can't hop on a plane and be there for her arraignment." Gripping the bed rail, he lowered his head. "Damn."

"Nicky…" she soothed. "Your mom will be there in time for the arraignment and we'll hear all about it." Trying to perk him up she said, "A warrant has been issued to search her house. If your trophy is among her collection, then I'm sure a skilled DuPage County CSI will bag it as evidence." Watching him stare at the photo she said, "When all is said and done and she's rotting in jail, the evidence will be released to its rightful owner and you'll get it back and clear your brother's name." Smiling she added, "And you can be damn sure there will be a nice spot in our house for it to be proudly displayed."

The Sanders Home
1:48 p.m.

Alone in the house, Greg stared at Mr. Peebles who was perched on a shelf in the family room in his airtight plexiglass case. Shaking his head, Greg recalled his conversation on the subject with Dr. Myers…

"Actually, I'd like to talk about my childhood comfort item for a minute. Do you think there's anything wrong with a boy having a stuffed donkey named Mr. Peebles?"

"No."

"Do you think there's anything wrong about the boy's mom keeping it in a custom-made plexiglass box in the family room now that he's grown?"

"Yes, I think your mother has transferred her feelings for you onto Mr. Peebles and is doing with him what she wishes she could do with you…keep you locked away and under her control."

With the guilt of a naughty boy, Greg glanced over his shoulder and snatched the case off the shelf. After that, he dashed upstairs to the guest room, to secure his rescued childhood friend in a suitcase. "I have just the spot for you back in Vegas, old Pal…my kids' nursery. I think Dr. Myers would agree that's a wonderfully healthy location for you to live out your retirement." Staring at the donkey's amber eyes Greg chuckled, "Yeah, I'm finally in therapy working through my baggage…and for conversing with inanimate objects."

The ring of the doorbell echoed through the house.

"Sorry…I have to cut this short, Buddy." Greg re-zipped the suitcase and trotted down the stairs to answer the door.

Upon peeking through the peephole he burst out laughing. There was Tawny, back from her trip to Target, dressed in a plaid skirt and white blouse, with a backpack slung over her shoulder and her hair in ponytails. Running upstairs to change his shirt, Greg shouted, "Mr. Peebles! I forgot to tell you I'm having the best damn day of my life! Partly because I'm fulfilling most every fantasy I ever had, but mostly because I know without a doubt I will be marrying the most fun and fantastic woman on the planet!"

Outside the house, Tawny impatiently rang the doorbell a second time then adjusted her knee-hi socks.

"Sorry!" Greg breathlessly announced when he opened the front door wearing an old Prep School sweatshirt, jeans and nothing on his feet. "I was uh…out back…when the doorbell rang and…um…hi…thanks for coming over to…um..."

"Hi," Tawny greeted with a little wave and a smile, while adoring the feigned nervous high school boy chatter. "Thanks for agreeing to tutor me in Chemistry."

"Hey…no problem." He nervously eyed his supposed classmate. "I'm happy to do you. Oh! I mean it! I'm happy to do it…tutoring. I'm happy to tutor you…anytime."

"Are we going to do it here?" Tawny coyly asked while peering into the house. "Or are you going to ask me inside where there is probably a table and chairs?"

"Oh!" Greg stepped back and invited her in. "Sorry…good thing my parents aren't home or they'd be yelling about forgetting my manners. Come on in."

Grinning, she stepped inside. "So…your parents aren't home?"

"No, they're out for the rest of the day." Walking backwards into the living room he said, "I hope that's okay with…"

"Oh!" Tawny dropped her backpack and rushed to see if Greg, who had tripped over a shoe and fallen to the floor, was alright. Trying not to laugh she wondered if he had done that on purpose or if it was just one of his usual unplanned mishaps.

"I'm okay!" Sitting up he shook his head. "My mom is always telling me not to leave my shoes lying around the house. Now I know why…" Staring at Tawny he gushed, "…she was trying to stop me from making a fool of myself in front of beautiful girls."

"You think I'm beautiful?" Tawny said in a dreamy voice.

"Uh…" Scrambling to his feet Greg said, "Can I get you something to drink? I have everything set up in the kitchen for us to study. Yeah…are you hungry? Because we have food. Lots of it actually…anything you want."

"A Coke would be great."

"Oh…uh…we don't have any sugary drinks because my dad's a dentist."

"That explains why you have a gorgeous smile," she sweetly informed him while batting her eyes. "A glass of ice water will be fine."

"Great!" Acting appropriately flustered he led the way. "So, Mr. Keenan is giving you a hard time in Chem, huh?"

"Totally!" Upon entering the kitchen she stifled her giggles by quickly covering her mouth. On the island counter, Greg had an old Chemistry book and a bunch of school supplies. "Are you sure you don't mind helping me?" she asked while he was filling up a glass with ice from the automatic dispenser.

"It's my pleasure…really…" His eyes locked on the buttons of her blouse bursting at the seams. "…it's no problem…oh shoot!" The glass having reached its capacity sent ice tumbling all over the floor.

"Let me help!" Tawny rushed over and began picking up cubes, making sure to bend over in her skirt and give him a show. "I think that's all of them."

Greg held his handful of cubes to his forehead. "Would you excuse me for a moment?"

"Sure." Tawny stood, placed her cubes in the sink and then seductively said, "I'll be waiting for you when you get back."

Crime Lab – Grissom's Office
2:01 p.m.

"I'm heading out to get ready for the big event," Sara announced to her husband upon walking into his office. "I still have to buy a dress and shoes because my red dress is too sexy for a wedding and my green dress is too casual for a night on the town." She scratched her head. "I called Carrie to see if she was up for helping me pick something. She said they're waiting for some results at the hospital and she didn't want to leave. That got me worried…it has to be serious for her to pass up shoe shopping." After a labored sigh Sara informed her husband, "She also cancelled the little welcome home get together for Nick tomorrow night. She apologized saying she had gotten overly excited but now she thinks he'll need to rest. You don't think he's coming down with something because of his compromised immunity, do you?"

"That's odd..." Gil leaned back in his chair. "I just spoke with my dad and he said Nick was doing great. He was with him for two hours planning the new phase of BPaC."

"That's what I thought too…when we were in the field Carrie called to run the Crisis Center concept by me and she seemed really upbeat."

His curious nature getting the best of him Gil said, "Something must have happened after my dad left the hospital."

"You do realize you've never visited Nick or called him, right?"

Gil cocked his head. "You think he's mad at me and that's why…"

"No." Sara rolled her eyes. "I was just pointing out that once again you've forgotten your people skills."

"And, if I get up and go visit him this afternoon, I may find the reason for the sudden changes and satisfy your curiosity."

"Ugh…I really hate how well you read me sometimes. Apparently pregnancy hormones have turned me into a Mother Hen. Forget I mentioned it." Turning she headed for the door. "I'll see you back at The Mandalay."

"Honey…" Gil smiled at his caring wife. "I'll call you on the way back from the University Trauma Center later. I have some papers for Nick to sign and suddenly I think now would be the perfect time to handle it."

Blocking Sara's departure, Sofia posed in the doorway. "Speaking of papers and Nick…" With a smirk on her face she held up a file. "Guess who else is objective around here?"

"Oh brother." Sara pushed past her co-worker. "You two stubborn mules can continue your feud without me."

Sofia strutted in and tossed the file on Grissom's desk. "I found a critical error in one of Mr. Stokes's reports."

Grissom couldn't contain his laughter. "I write something in Sara's personnel file so you go off and look for something on Nick so you can prove you're just as objective as me. Are we in high school?"

The Sanders Home
2:06 p.m.

When Greg re-joined his classmate in the kitchen he held up a boom box. "Music…it stimulates the mind."

"Whatcha got in there?" Tawny asked from her position on a barstool at the counter.

"Prince…Diamonds and Pearls. It's topping the charts." Pressing play he shyly said, "I find his music really sparks my creativity."

"Ooh! I love Prince. Purple Rain is like one of my favorite songs ever."

As the music filled the room, Greg took a seat next to his pupil. "So…what exactly do you need help with, Miss Cooper? Bonding? Balancing equations." Lowering his voice he suggested, "Spontaneous combustion?"

"Tawny…" she prompted while gazing into his eyes ready to kiss him. "Just call me Tawny."

"What do you need help with…Tawny?" He was desperate to press his eager lips to her glossy ones.

"I love how you say my name."

"It's a beautiful name, just like…." He kissed her with his eyes.

"Just like what?" she murmured while leaning in to meet his lips half way.

"Just like you're beautiful."

"There's something you should know…" Teasingly brushing her lips over his she confessed, "I'm an A student in chemistry."

"Then why did you ask me to tutor you?" His palms landed on her thighs as they continued to near-kiss.

"Because I've been nuts about you since the first day of school." She rested her hands on his shoulders. "I had this crazy idea that maybe if we saw each other off campus, you'd finally make a move."

"You mean like…kiss you?" His hands slid around her waist.

Running her fingers through his hair she pleaded, "Yes…kiss me."

In a flash they were thrilling each other in a tantalizing lip lock.

"Wow," Tawny breathed out when they finally parted. "That was even better than my dreams."

"You've had dreams about me?" He loved the detail she was putting forth. "Because…I've had dreams about you too…awesome dreams. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you at your locker."

"I'm crazy about you too and…" With her hot breath fanning over his neck she whispered in his ear, "…I've been saving myself for you, Greg."

"Do you…um…" Holding both her hands he nervously asked, "Would you like to see my Science Fair trophy?"

"Where is it?" As if she didn't know.

"In my room," he answered while struggling to keep a straight face.

Slipping off the stool she demurely replied, "I'd love to."

Walking hand in hand up the stairs Greg remembered his earlier words to his mother… I only plan on going to second with her. That really was what they had planned on doing when they developed their role play idea on the drive. But now, Tawny's eyes were boiling with desire and he wondered if she wanted to take it further. Not knowing what the girl was thinking really made the fantasy seem like his old high school reality. "Sorry…it's a little messy because I didn't plan on showing it to you."

Once again Tawny grinned at the sight of the room Bev had preserved for her son. There was no need to pretend it was his senior year…it looked the same as it did in the early nineties. Glancing up at Greg she saw passion brewing in his deep brown eyes and desperately hoped he'd stay engaged in the fantasy, giving her the perfect first time she never had in reality.

"Here it is…" He pointed to the three foot trophy on a special shelf. Her proximity drove him wild and he couldn't stop gaping at her.

"Wow…" Coming to rest in front of it she pointed to his engraved name. "Gregory Hojem Sanders – 1st Place. Very impressive." When he stood behind her Tawny leaned against his chest and as his fingers gently gripped her hips, she let out a pleasurable gasp. "Greg…have you ever…"

"No." Sweeping her hair off her neck he whispered in her ear, "Have you?"

Turning to meet his gaze she responded in kind. "No…not even close."

Coiling his arms around Tawny, Greg initiated a tender kiss.

"Don't stop there," she pleaded.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes…" she panted in his ear while he drove his hands under her white cotton blouse.

Wrapping her fingers around the edge of his sweatshirt, Tawny quickly yanked it over his head.

Greg followed suit, hurriedly popping open the buttons of her blouse to reveal she had nothing on underneath. As their bare chests met he rasped, "This is the best day of my life."

"Mine too," she declared in between frantic kisses.

Minutes later they tossed their final layer of clothing and met in the middle of the bed kneeling in front of one another.

Anxiously, Tawny asked, "Are you sure your parents won't come home?"

"Not for hours."

Gripping his shoulders she leaned in to initiate another urgent round of kisses.

"Wait…" He pulled away and darted over to the dresser to grab the open box of condoms that his father had jokingly left there the previous day. "I wouldn't ever want to do anything that could end up hurting you."

When he returned to the bed a more responsible guy, Tawny embraced him. "Thank you for that."

Grinning at each other they fell against the sheets and twined their bodies just short of merging.

Knowing his woman's penchant for movie lines, Greg softly posed the same question Jack sensitively asked Rose in Titanic before the big moment, "Are you nervous?"

While Eskimo kissing she assured him, "No…not in your arms."

"My heart's pounding."

"I can feel it." Unable to imagine him playing it more perfectly, she easily lost herself in the fantasy.

Grazing a kiss over her lips Greg whispered, "I love you, Tawny."

"I love you too," she managed before gasping.

Crime Lab – Trace
2:23 p.m.

"What happened to you now, Hodges?" Grissom asked upon seeing his battered face.

"I got roughed up at Chuck E Cheese," he grumbled while returning his eyes to the microscope. The last thing he wanted to do was discuss the embarrassing details of his near arrest for attempted child abduction.

Grissom leaned against the counter and did what his compassionate wife would want him to do…feigned interest. "Did an angry pack of kindergarteners shake you down for your tokens?"

"Look…" Hodges glanced up. "I know how much you love bonding with me but…I don't want to talk about it. It's personal…specifically, it's humiliating. So just tell me what you want and leave my bruised face and ego alone."

Grissom stared at man thinking…my wife tells me I'm shirking my people skills so I make an effort and now I get snubbed. "I want your 'Suck Up' file, Hodges."

"Which one?" He stood and headed for the file cabinet. "I have one for the Sheriff, Brass…"

"Nick's…I want to review the old death threat stuff and the connection to the Dalmatian Save lady with Carrie when I'm visiting Nick at the hospital."

Crime Lab – hallway
2:30 p.m.

"Sofia!" Tracey Albright from the prosecutor's office, and an occasional tennis partner, flagged her down.

"Hey, Tracey. What's going on?" Her friend looked even more frazzled than she did at the courthouse that morning when she said Carrie's cases had been divided amongst the already overworked staff.

"I'm handling pre-trial discovery for State vs. Burbank…rape case involving eighteen year old Hannah Barstow. You processed the defendant's residence with Pete." She handed over the file. "There's a 'do not disturb' order on Nick's hospital phone, and I have two messages out to Carrie but she's hasn't returned my calls. I thought you might know…how long will it be before he's on his feet and able to be interviewed?"

"He wasn't on the case," Sofia informed her. "Nick was on vacation, Willows processed the girl, Pete and I handled the scene, Warrick Brown was the supervisor."

"Stokes is a critical civilian witness. The girl cried out to him at the Walk-In Clinic." Tracey handed over her notes. "You obviously didn't read the full report. Here are my notes from Barstow's latest interview."

"Sorry, I handled my piece as required and who has time for elective reading?" Skimming the notes she goaded her friend, "Trace, we're more swamped over here than you are at the courthouse because you only get the trial-worthy cases…we have to work them all."

"Sorry…I'm stressing."

Sofia froze when her eyes fell on a specific paragraph in the girl's pre-trial statement and Tracey's voice faded into background noise.

After listening to Mr. Stokes talk about his regrets over not reporting the woman who raped him as a kid, I realized keeping my secret would be worse than telling.

"Sofia…" Tracey prodded. "Any idea how long until Nick is back on his feet?"

"Uh…" Returning the notes she said, "He's due to be discharged tomorrow. If I speak with him or Carrie I'll let them know you need a call."

"Thanks." She glanced at her watch. "Gotta run."

Leaning against the wall, Sofia raised her eyes to the ceiling. "Damn."

"No, thanks…I do my best work unrestrained."

"Just lay back and do what I say, Stokes."

"I need to go. I'm not in the mood."

"I promise you'll enjoy it."

"I said I'm not in the mood, so back the hell off!"

"What you're not in the mood for is a woman being in charge of the action."

"Shit." She stomped her foot as more of his words echoed.

"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!"

"Nice going, Sof," she cursed herself thinking…exactly how many personal situations are you going to misread in your life?

The clap of two hands finally snapped her out of guilt-induced daze.

"Welcome back, Ms. Curtis," Jim greeted. "That must have been one hell of a date last night to have you daydreaming in the hallway." He handed her a slip of paper. "Attempted rape at The Sundevil Motel." Jim smiled, "You're working solo but, I have faith you can handle it…especially because there's no one else around to accompany you…and because you're a pro. The Labor Day weekend relief shift arrives in two hours. If you need help call it in then."

"Thanks, Jim…" She stared in disbelief at the paper. "…your timing is impeccable."

"I know." He winked before turning. "I've been hearing that from women since high school."

The Sanders Home
2:43 p.m.

Snuggled under the comforter facing each other, Greg sweetly asked, "Are you doing okay, Tawny? Do you need anything? I could…"

"I'm perfect. You were perfect. Everything was perfect," she dreamily replied while basking in the afterglow. "How about some pillow talk? That is…unless you're not much of a talker."

Grinning wildly he said, "What are your future plans?"

"College for sure…and a career," she quickly replied in character. "I'm not sure what I'll major in yet." When she saw a twinge of guilt in his eyes Tawny smiled, "But those are the little things. What I want most out of life is to marry the man of my dreams and raise a family with him…having a loving family means everything to me. Oh…and I have this crazy fantasy about having twins." She giggled, "Oops…I bet that's the last thing a seventeen year old guy wants to hear."

"Are you kidding? That's my dream too." Then he realized what he said and chuckled, "Except I want to marry the woman of my dreams and raise a family with her. And I think twins would be really cool."

"What else? What about a career?"

"Well… if I could be anything, I'd be a Crime Scene Investigator but, it's really hard work and I'm not sure I can handle it without someone supporting me along the way." Stroking her hair he said, "Someone who would hug me at the end of a long day and make me forget the terrible things I saw and someone to be there in the middle of the night to hold me if I have a nightmare. If I had someone like that in my corner I think I could do just about anything."

After grinning wildly at each other Tawny shrieked, "As much as I love the fantasy…I love the reality even more. Can we come back to 2005?"

"Please…before my 1992 acne shows up."

"Be right back!" With that she ran out of the room.

Sitting up he glanced around his old room and waited for his dream girl to return. "Finally these walls can talk about something other than my adventures with Pamela Handerson."

"Surprise!" Tawny held up her notebook. "Look what I packed! It's time to update your fantasy list." After re-joining him she flipped open the right page and jotted her latest updates in red. "Check it out."

"Hmm…we need to alter the last one a little because I think our kids will get a kick out of those goofy pictures of me." Smiling, he reached for the pen and made his adjustment. "That's better."

The Fantasies of Greg Sanders - Summer 2005 Edition:

Meet the woman of my dreams – complete
Fall crazy in love – complete but falling harder all the time
Say 'I love you' to the woman of my dreams – complete but ongoing
Hear the woman of my dreams say 'I love you too'- complete but ongoing
Make love with the woman of my dreams - complete but ongoing all the time (hopefully)
Have the hottest sex of my life - complete but always striving for a new personal best
Get a bigger place to live in with the woman of my dreams-complete

Bring the woman of my dreams to my parents' home in California –complete!
Steal Mr. Peebles – mission accomplished!

Tawny kissed her man and said, "You've completed all your summer 2005 fantasies and it's not even Labor Day yet."

"Let's review the future edition," he took the book, scanned the list and jotted some notes.

The Fantasies of Greg Sanders -Future Edition:
Beat Tawny at Boggle - complete (but she let me win)
Beat Grissom at poker
Get engaged
Get married
Become a dad
Be a great dad
Buy a hamster for my kid
Get a really nice house for my family
Have a second baby with my wife (if it's okay with her) We're having twins! (And she's okay with it)
Take Grissom's job when he retires (and be even better at it than him)
Continue having hot sex and making love with my wife until the day I die (Doing a great job so far!)
Never stop being quirky and funny no matter how tough my job or life gets
Live every day to its fullest (9/2/05 - prime example of success!)
Live happily ever after with my wife (How could I not! She's amazing!)
(I'm sure I'll add more, but I think this is a good start)
I honestly have no idea when any of these things will happen but…

I can't imagine enjoying any of them without you in my life.
I love you, Tawny.

Greg Sanders Chemist-CSI-Visionary

"Hmm…let's keep this handy because I think we'll be making another update real soon."

"Oh really…" Tawny simmered in anticipation of making a note next to 'get engaged'.

Gazing into his future fiancée's eyes Greg deadpanned, "Yeah, I saw my old Habitrail in the garage and I'm thinking of getting that hamster sooner than planned."

After slamming a pillow in her man's face Tawny slipped out of bed. "I'm hitting the shower. It's time to head to the country club and meet the woman who made your life hell for years."

"But you already met my mother," he quipped while hurrying to join her. "Oh! You mean Becca."

Becca's House
2:51 p.m.

Standing in front of her full-length mirror Becca stared approvingly at herself wearing the gypsy-inspired Robert Cavalli animal print halter dress with its deep-slit neckline and fitted bodice. "Oh, yeah...Hoj will love this," she purred while checking out the rear view. "Talk about a well spent fourteen-hundred dollars."

With a spring in her step she tossed her sleek auburn hair off her shoulders and headed for her shoe closet. "Jimmy Choo Crystal Ring Slides…I'm coming for you!" Laughing she pulled the seven hundred dollar black kidskin sandals from their perch. "Oh yeah," she moaned while sliding her perfectly pedicured feet into them. "And don't think I forgot about you Dolce & Gabbanna." Strutting to her accessory closet she selected her eighteen-hundred dollar D&G hobo bag and swung it on her finger.

Stopping in front of the mirror again she noted the confidence in her piercing blue eyes. "After being dumped by his mousy girlfriend today, Hoj will need a place to fall." She eyed her bare bronzed shoulder. "This time he'll be crying on mine." A tiny cackle escaped her lips. "I have no doubt that his Ex was another plain-Jane lab nerd. He'll be ready to trade up. And girl…you look sexy as hell."

Nordstrom's
3:04 p.m.

Poised in front of the 3-way dressing room mirror, Sara chewed her bottom lip and wondered if the flirty halter dress in azalea silk would work for the special occasion.

Zeroing in on the deep v-neck a smile crept over her lips. Her hormone infused breasts definitely filled out the garment. Gil will love that she mused. Yes, it was just sexy enough for the evening without being inappropriate for a wedding.

Standing there, feeling feminine and flirty in a new dress, Sara was surprised to find herself thinking that shopping and trying on clothes, rather than online shopping, could be fun. Then two obnoxious gum-cracking hussies spoiled her bliss.

"Hey…" The red-head approached. "What shoes are you going to wear with that dress, girlfriend?"

"Uh…" Sara glanced down at her unpolished toes that she still had to paint. "I haven't um…"

The blonde eyed the woman from head to toe. "It needs sandals but, if you're not planning on getting a pedicure you better cover those skanky toes."

"Hey…thanks for the unsolicited advice," Sara snarked while retreating to her dressing room, miffed that strangers would be so rude. Behind the safety of her door she muttered, "They remind me of girls from old school."

Butterfield Academy
3:14 p.m.

Celine called across campus, "Sean!" He was heading for the parent pick up area.

"Hi, Celine!" Oozing with happiness from having yet another perfect day he smiled at his friend.

"Do you think Lindsay's mom is switching her to a new school? She wasn't here all day."

"No," he informed her. "Her mom called the office and asked if I could bring her work home for her since I live next door to her as of today. She took the day off because of the move."

Celine didn't mask her disappointment. "I thought we got lucky." Just then she heard some snickering behind her.

"Is he your new charity project, Celine?" Marisa Carlson, a sixteen year-old bitchy friend of her sister's, asked while pointing at Sean. "I think you've gone too far this time. He's hopeless."

"Is that some kind of challenge," she snipped. Without giving much thought to the forlorn guy standing beside her Celine got in Marisa's face "Sure, Sean's not much to look at now but…I can make him hot."

Marisa, whose father was high up in Caesar's casino management eyed the geek. "Hundred bucks says he still looks like a dork when you're done with him."

Sean choked on his pride and said, "I'm going to be late if I…"

"You're on Carlson!" Celine grabbed Sean's hand. "You're coming home with me."

"What?" He pointed toward the parking lot. "My mom is waiting for me…and I'm not allowed to go to a house where she hasn't met the parents. Well…that's actually a rule for Ryan because I've never been invited to someone's house." Then he panicked. "And you're a girl!"

"No shit, Sherlock."

"You cursed." He covered his mouth as if he were the guilty party.

"Did you ever consider that maybe if you cursed a little around the guys they wouldn't think you're a prissy Mama's Boy?"

"Mom!" Sean shouted when he saw her walking towards him holding Ashley.

"I was worried because you were late." Last year when he was late it meant he was hiding or being harassed. "Who's your friend, Honey?"

"Mom…this is Celine Campbell, the girl I was telling you about yesterday. Celine, this is my mother, Wendy Blake."

"How do you do, Mrs. Blake," Celine greeted, making sure to turn on her manners and charm. "I was hoping Sean could accompany me home after school today to tutor me in Chemistry. It's the one subject that gives me trouble. Would it be alright?"

"Uh…" Her gut screamed, no, but she saw how happy Sean was and relented. "If I drive him there and meet your mother and she says it's okay…and she'll be there to supervise you."

"Great!" Celine enthused. "I'll write down the directions."

Willows & Brown Household
3:22 p.m.

"That goes in the guest bedroom," Catherine directed the movers before glancing over at Warrick. "Do we really have to do the separate rooms thing?"

"Cath…" he shot a warning glance. "We've already discussed this twice. We need to work out our shit and in the past when we tried to do that we always ended up in working it out between the sheets instead of with our heads."

"Just because we'd be sharing a bed doesn't mean we'd have sex." His look said it all. "Okay…okay."

From behind a stack of boxes Lindsay appeared grinning. "I think it's an excellent plan, Mom." Smugly she explained, "In your previous relationships with men you've counted on sex to keep things happy. When the sex went down the drain, the man went out the door. By focusing your energies on verbal communication instead of physical, there's a decent chance you might keep a guy around for once."

Catherine glared at her precocious daughter. "One therapy session and you're hanging your counseling shingle?"

Smirking, Warrick strolled by. "The girl makes an excellent point."

"Yep." Lindsay nodded. "And in other good news…now I'll get to enjoy my first night here without having to listen to the two of you christen the place."

Alone in her new living room Catherine stuffed her hands on her hips. "I'm living with an outrageously sexy man and sleeping alone…yeah…that sucks."

Drew and Melissa's Home
3:31 p.m.

When Drew stepped inside the empty foyer of his extravagant home, he filled with apprehension. The last time he'd seen his wife she was loathing every fiber of his being, slapping divorce papers against his chest. "Hello…" he called out, expecting the housekeeper and the kids to greet him and maybe Lissa too. "I'm home."

When no one showed up, he set down his luggage and headed for the stairs. "Lissa?" When there was no answer he walked down the hall. "Lis?" She said they'd be home all afternoon.

"Sorry!" she announced upon darting out of the master bedroom and startling him in the hallway. "I didn't hear the door." With a nervous smile she finished tugging on her strappy metallic sandals. "I had the TV on a little too loud. One of those decorating shows I like. This one was about kids rooms and I thought I might be able to use one or two of the ideas in the new house. Anyway…um…how was your flight?" When he didn't reply she prompted, "Drew…"

Enraptured with her feminine appearance in a pistachio green silk wrap dress with delicate gold threading, he hadn't heard a word she'd said. She looked like she used to when he'd arrive home after business trips and whatever new perfume she was wearing smelled fantastic. "Sorry…I didn't catch what you said."

"How was your flight?"

"Because we took an earlier flight we had to fly coach and the exit row seats were booked." He broke into a smile. "It'll be a while before my legs recover."

"It can't be worse than the time you surprised me in Milan for a show and…"

"I'll never forget that." His voice was low and deep. "We had the best time."

She smiled at the memory. "Before I left, you said you'd follow me anywhere…and then you did."

"You look great, Lissa. That dress…"

"Uh…" The comment on her appearance snapped her out of her nostalgic and romantic haze. "The kids are out back with Marta. I thought it would be a good idea if we went out somewhere to talk and you see them later, because Cassie won't want you to go once she sees you."

"Sure." He straightened up. "Let me just grab my car keys."

"You don't have a car, remember? Your former employer took it back."

"Oh…right." Running his fingers through his thick hair, Drew said, "I guess for a moment I was convincing myself the last year was a bad dream and it was old times."

"No…these are new times." Melissa smiled at her husband. "So…I'll drive and listen to sports scores while you obsess over your appearance in the passenger side mirror."

Returning her smile he nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

Greg's Mommy's Borrowed Car
3:40 p.m.

"So, what's the final strategy?" Tawny nervously asked as she fidgeted with her romantic mango-colored halter dress and fluffed her hair.

"The first order of business is for you stop playing with your look in the mirror." He snapped up the visor so she'd stop staring at herself. "It's pointless…you can't improve on perfection."

Gushing from the compliment she asked, "Do you think your mom will be upset that I returned the dress she bought me for Friday Happy Hour because my boobs outgrew it?"

He chuckled sweetly. "Since my mother is into 'public boob containment' I think she'll be fine. And I like that dress even better than the other one."

Still giddy from the shopping rush she said, "Can you believe I got it for only a hundred bucks on super summer clearance! That's how I financed your outfit…the original dress was four-hundred. My shoes were an even better deal."

"How much were those?"

"Free! I borrowed them from Carrie." Looking at the window she laughed, "I figured the country club set would have some killer shoes so I outsourced my footwear selection to a pro. I can't believe Carrie has three pair of Manolos. That's so not her personality…then again I wouldn't have thought Nick was her type either, so go figure. And before you say it, Chuckles…" she laughed. "Just because I like borrowing her shoes for a weekend, doesn't mean I fantasize about borrowing her man."

"I wasn't thinking that," Greg laughed from his belly…for a minute. "Hey…but…why were you thinking that?"

Ignoring him she asked, "So, am I Amish or not?"

"You don't want to be Amish anymore?" he asked in surprise.

"I feel a little guilty lying to people…even if they are strangers. I should just go with the semi-truth…I'm just a hayseed from Kansas who didn't have the money for college…and because I spent all the money I saved from waitressing on boobs, I'm just starting out. Let them judge me…I don't care. I know it's not going to change the way you feel about me."

"Absolutely not." Pulling into the club entrance he smiled. "Trust me…everyone here will know exactly how thrilled I am to be marrying you." He left out the second part…because I'll be proposing in front of all them and most likely screaming Halleluiah when you say yes.

"We're finally here! I thought this day would never come." Tawny took a deep breath, flipped down the visor and checked her look one more time. "Maybe if I put just a little more…"

"Stop!"

"Stopping!"

"Just remember…" After pulling into the valet drop spot, he gave her hand a squeeze and spoke softly. "Come what may…I love you until the end of time."

"Awww..." She winked. "I'll remember that when Becca is grabbing your ass and telling you to dump the uneducated farm girl."

"Hey, she can grab a free feel if she wants to, but you're the only one I'll be putting my hands on." Leaning over he placed his palm on Tawny's neck, easing her into a kiss.

"Mmm…" Her nerves significantly calmer she murmured, "One more just like that."

"Twist my arm." The dark tint of the car windows provided privacy for a passionate smooch.

When the driver-side door flew open and Greg heard a familiar voice, he broke the kiss.

"Hoj! What's taking you so long?" Becca laughed as she bent over to peer inside. "You're not entertaining yourself in there are…" Her eyes locked on the model-perfect blonde in the passenger seat. "What the…"

"Uh…" Greg turned to face his old pal. "Becca!" With his girlfriend's mango lipstick on his mouth he smiled. "Rebecca Turnbull…this is, Tawny Cooper…the girlfriend I've been trying to tell you about for days. Tawny…this is my old school chum I told you all about…Becca. "

"Hi, there." Tawny flashed her sexiest smile and waved at the paralyzed woman. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Becca. Well…meet you in person that is, because we spoke on the phone earlier. Yeah…I was the girl you tried to scare off with the tale of the green-stripe boxer shorts." Wrinkling her nose Tawny giggled with delight. "But look…I'm still here."

Greg watched the shock wash over Becca as she realized her earlier attempt at manipulation failed. "Hey, did you happen to bring those boxers, Becks? They're one of my favorite pair. Yeah…it takes a while to break them in and achieve the perfect comfort level. At least a dozen washings and then sometimes…"

In a jealous daze, Becca heard nothing while Tawny, on the other hand, heard it all, and telepathically advised her man. Stop talking about your underwear, Chuckles!

When the valet finally opened her door Tawny took the young man's hand and swung her legs out of the car. "Thank you." She wasn't sure if it was just a regular Santa Ana wind or a stroke of good karma that fueled the breeze but, when she stepped onto the sidewalk, her whimsically curled golden locks blew and her sexy dress billowed against her voluptuous body as if she were in the middle of a provocative Vogue photo shoot.

Along with every man in the immediate vicinity, Becca stood gawking at the stunning woman with the incredible body.

Twenty-six year old Charlie Dwyer, AKA Mister Hollywood, the resident playboy-extraordinaire of the club, slapped his buddy Brian on the back. "Do you see what the gods just dropped on my doorstep?" Running his fingers through his jet black hair, he honed his brilliant blue eyes on the beauty before him. "Ho-ly shit I must have her within the next two hours or I will surely die from depravation."

"I think you're much more likely to keel from depravity, my friend." Brian tossed his cigarette to the ground and blew out the smoke in his mouth. "Whose car is that? And what's up with Becca? She looks like she swallowed dog shit."

"Who gives a shit about Becca when there's a goddess in my range? And what car the goddess arrived in is irrelevant…" Charlie rubbed his hands together. "…because she'll be leaving in mine."

After handing the keys to the valet, Greg emerged from his mother's car. "I kept trying to tell you, Becks," he informed his stunned friend. "You never listen to me."

"Sanders!" Charlie shouted accidentally out loud. Then he turned to his buddy and heatedly whispered, "That bombshell came here with Sanders? The guy never has a date and then he shows up with her?"

"Obviously, he's her gay," Brian assured his pal. "All the chicks have them these days…they're the hot accessory. They don't go anywhere without their cell phone, credit cards and gay guy. She probably wanted to get into the club for the big weekend and you know Sanders…he's a doormat. Shit…a looker like her, you know she's here digging."

"Fine by me…" Charlie salivated. "She can have some of my gold…I've got plenty to spare. My trust fund runneth over…just like my hands plan on doing to her bodacious breasts."

Taking Tawny's hand Greg kissed it. "Ready for a drink?"

Becca muttered, "Hell, yes."

Looking over her man's shoulder Tawny remembered the old adage about keeping your enemy close and sweetly extended an invitation. "Becca…you'll join us too, won't you?" Fiddling with Greg's jacket lapels she said, "I want to hear all about my Hoj when he was a teen." Out of the corner of her eye she saw the jealousy rage within Becca and thought…that's right, you heard me…I used your cute little nickname for him…it doesn't belong to you anymore, and neither does his self-esteem…it's under my control now and unlike you, my primary goal is to pump it up, not stomp it like a grape. You won't be hurting him this weekend or ever again. Savvy?

"Sure….drinks would be great." Becca sucked it up and smiled. "As his oldest and closest friend, I'd love to reminisce and get to know my Hoj's newest friend." What she really meant was…because the more I learn about you, the easier it will be to get rid of you, just like I got rid of Hoj's mousy college girlfriend without him knowing how. I still remember the look on Miss Chem Nerd's face when I 'accidentally' told her that Hojie and I had spent the weekend screwing each other in Taos. Oops! Ugh… after getting a taste of him the other night, I wish that lie had actually happened.

"Shall we, Ladies?" Finally feeling like a million bucks at the club, Greg draped an arm around each of their shoulders and walked his women toward the entrance right past Charlie and Brian. "Hey, guys. I'm ready for a party weekend. How about you?"

Charlie tried not to laugh at the concept of Greg Sanders being down with the ladies. "Shit yeah…the big party's at Steffie Sinclair's. I just tagged you. But it's invite only so, keep it to yourself, Sanders." He chuckled. "Of course you can bring your ladies."

While Greg immediately declined, the women on his arms eagerly said, "We'll be there!"

Greg heard Dr. Myers screaming in his head like the angel on his shoulder…don't go…whatever you do…don't go to that party. You're not supposed to be drinking! And why would you want to take Tawny there…you know it's not a party, it's a drunken orgy…you don't fit in there…they always make fun of you for standing out like a sore thumb. Then he heard his own voice…Damn straight you want to go to that party. That's where you overheard the beautiful people saying you were queer and mocking you. Of course you want to take Tawny there and prove you're worthy of a babe on your arm. "Just shittin' ya. Damn straight I'll be there!"

"Alright man." Charlie leered at Tawny. "I look forward to seeing you there."

With that, Greg led his former and his current loves into the club, turning more heads and fueling the grapevine. "Look who's home for the holiday weekend!" he joyfully announced like a prodigal son to the lobby full of people, most of which he had known from a young age. Wallowing in his new playboy status he flashed a Hollywood smile. "Drinks on my tab!"

Becca whispered in his ear, "Hoj…you were denied a tab at the club because you didn't have adequate financials, remember?"

"Ooh, right!" Greg shouted at the people milling into the bar. "Make that my mother's tab!"

Tawny whispered in her man's ear, "Chuckles, you were an inch away from pulling off the Mr. Hollywood thing." Supportive of him finally having a little time in the spotlight as a happening guy, she coached, "Here's the deal…you need to step up the charm, because you don't have the cash. You observed Slick Nick for years…that's how he worked the scene, pretend you're the old him."

He whispered back in his best Slick impression, "Baby, is that your subtle way of sayin' you want me to knock back some tequila and bring Becks and you to the nearest closet for a little three-way cowboy romance? 'Cause I'm all for buckin' like broncos if…"

"Pardon us for a moment, Becca." Tawny grabbed her man's hand and yanked him across the room. "Just so we're clear, Gregory Hojem Sanders…I don't care if it's every man's fantasy…the number three does not exist in my sexual world."

"I was kidding!" Greg burst out laughing. "I was pretending like you told me too. I was trying to be smoooooth for you. Okay…here…check this out." Moving closer he zeroed in on her moody brown eyes and spoke in a sexy whisper, "I could've had Becca the other night…hell, I could have had her in the Starbucks parking lot, but there's only one woman on this planet for me…that's you, Baby…and I'm not sharin' you with anyone. You already rocked my world three times today…" Placing his hands on her hips he brought his mouth to her ear, letting his lips graze her lobe. "…and tonight, at that party…I'm gonna back you up against the wall and when I have you there, I'm gonna make you scream my name and beg me for more, and when you do, I'll give it to you…oh,yeah…I'll give it to you like you've never had it before because you're my one and only, Darlin'. Mmm…" After suckling her ear lobe he stepped back grinning "Take that! Oh yeah…I'm a player. Did I sound like a player?"

"Ugh! You sound like every loser I've ever dated. If I wanted the ultimate smarmy man, I'd cuddle up to sleazebag, Charlie. I don't want a player…I want my Chuckles back," she demanded in a pouty voice. When she saw Greg grin Tawny giggled, "Okay…I have a proposition for you. Since I know you're getting engaged sometime tomorrow…"

"…or Sunday."

"I'm hedging my bet that it's tomorrow." She pecked his cheek. "I'll let you have a night of drunken debauchery with only me. Hoj, AKA The Player, is allowed to surface at the party tonight, but after that, he retires for good."

"Good…because I doubt I can keep it up for long." He chuckled sweetly. "Which may be the case at the party tonight since you've already exhausted me."

"Kids!" Bev, fueled by a very nice wine buzz, hustled over. "You made it!" Grabbing Tawny's hand she hoisted it in the air with hers. "Everyone! Look! Greg has a girl!"

As everyone cheered, Becca sulked in the corner of the lobby. "He won't have her for long, Bev. But don't worry…I'll be there to heal your little boy's heart."

Charlie came to rest next to Becca. "That's a lovely shade of green you're wearing, Ms. Turnbull."

"Beat it."

"Look…clearly you want your Hojie back under your thumb, and I'm sure you can guess what I want." He winked. "Why not double-team them to expedite the process?"

Becca glanced up at the player. "Hmm…good point. If anyone can charm the thong off her in record time, it's you, Charles."

"Champagne in the bar on me!" Bev announced.

Grabbing Charlie's arm Becca smirked. "Let the games begin."

Author's Notes:

So there you have it…Tawny and Becca have met. THE END. LOL…not quite. I hope it was an entertaining read. Just in case anyone is concerned that Tawny is turning, or will turn into a catty bitch…that's not what she's doing. She's 'handling' Becca the way she knows a girl like Becca needs to be handled. We know that the only time Greg really got Becca's attention is when he was in a 'take no bullshit' mode. Her attention needs to be grabbed and she can't be given more than a few inches of leash. Tawny worked in a cut throat environment with girls much worse than Becks. She knows what she's doing and in the next chapter she gets a little help from a new friend. Also in the next chapter…Greg shares a little quiet time with Becca and does something he's never done before ;-) .

Refresher: We first heard about Charlie back in FS 63 after Bev had just returned from Vegas and Scott returned from fixing Charlie up. In the next chapter you'll see how someone cleverly handles Charlie.

"Baseball to the mouth. It was nasty. Two reimplantations with splinting." Scott tossed the shirt then ran his fingers through his meticulously groomed short brown hair. "But Charlie will be fine…thanks to my amazing skill."

"I've always admired your humility, Dear," She quipped while kicking back in the tub. "And how was Katie?" Katie Dwyer, wife of Dr. Michael Dwyer, top Cardiologist in town and big spenders at the country club. She was Hollywood-obsessed and always gushing over her jock son, Charlie's movie-star good looks. He was a twenty-six year old med student at UCLA who had earned his Bachelor's on a full tennis scholarship and every time he showed up at the club he had a different buxom blonde on his arm.

There was a lot going on in this chapter and a lot of set up for the next and future ones. Some revelations…Andy realizing it was a woman who abused his brother, Nick recalling the missing trophy incident, Sofia's discovery (I had to work in a little Brass Man there), Drew & Lissa discovered some leftover feelings, Cath understanding she will not be getting lucky for a while, and Grissom shared his feedbag solution LOL.

Celine/Sean, Becca/Greg…some more parallels ahead. Greg wasn't just a victim in his relationship with Becca, she served a valuable purpose in his life. He'll verbalize that in 26.

Next Chapter: The day continues to be a learning experience for many! Posting: Monday morning.

Have a great weekend!

Maggs