A/N: I took another day off, I know. Lunch at Red Robin and a water balloon fight were calling my name and I couldn't resist. School gets out the 7th and then I can be wholly devoted to you all. Enjoy chapter eleven.


Headliner

Chapter 11

My backpack hung loosely over my left shoulder. The clock ticked loudly. If the time was right (which I knew it was), I should've left five minutes ago. The bus came in two minutes and if I didn't make it, I'd have to walk. I wasn't too crazy about that idea. My jaw was clenched tight. I was about to break several rules. I opened the door and peered down the driveway. The street was quiet. I locked the door behind me (I didn't want to risk Nick's stuff being stolen) and took off running.

The bus driver didn't give me a second look as I laid the coins into his hand. I chose a seat at the back. I needed to be as inconspicuous as possible. The occupants of the bus took little notice of me. I was breathing hard as I clung to the side of the seat. I closed my eyes. Public transportation had always made me shaky, and this time was no different. I felt a hand on my shoulder and nearly jumped out of my skin.

An old woman with auburn hair (that was clearly a wig) smiled down at me. "Are you alright?" she asked.

I tried to smile back and nod. I breathed deeply, trying to slow my heart. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just not a fan of buses."

"Okay, dear. I'll be over here if you need me."

I nodded again and turned my head to face the window. The sights of Las Vegas flashed before me, but I wasn't awestruck. In fact, the flashing lights were somewhat of a sedative.

The sun was slowly setting when the bus pulled up to my stop. I exited through the back doors, not wanting the driver to have to see me again. I walked hurriedly down the street. There were people out and about and it added to my paranoia. I glanced over my shoulder several times to make sure no one was following me.

I sat on the doorstep when I reached my destination. The easy part of tonight's demonstration had been completed. I pressed my hand to my heart. It was almost beating at a normal rate. I pulled my hair behind my ears and knocked in the silly rhythm we'd discussed. I was immensely relieved when she answered the door quickly.

"You didn't sound very enthusiastic with that knock," the blonde said.

"Hi, Lindsey. Sorry, I'm a bit on edge tonight."

"Why? You've got nothing to worry about. Come in. I ordered pizza. Hope you like pepperoni."

Although she wasn't jumpy at first, she soon joined me in frantic anticipation. We didn't drink much. There was no point if we were going to have an accident every time the phone rang. I kept well hidden if someone was at the door. Basically, Lindsey was running the show. "Do you have the plan memorized?" she asked me.

"The plan?"

"You know, what exactly you're going to say when our parents get here. You know, they will get here eventually."

"I'd like to keep that out of my head for as long as possible. Besides, I'll probably just use the truth."

" 'Mom, Dad, I ran away to get you two to look for me together and realize how much I need both of you to discipline me at the same time.' Sorry, Lex, I don't think that would work. You're really not good at the whole manipulation thing, are you? Here's what you do: flip the story to blame them. Say something like 'Mom, Dad, I'm sorry I left, but I just couldn't stand it anymore. The way you two try to pretend nothing's wrong and say that staying apart is the best way to go is just too hard. You both want me to be with you. How am I supposed to choose?' It's a sure thing to work."

"Lindsey Willows, you have one amazing mind."

"That's what they tell me at school, only it's usually followed by 'Why don't you use it to help your grades?'"

We both laughed.


Sara lifted a piece of tape off a fingerprint. She smiled when she saw the perfect ridges. "Let's just hope this guy's in the system."

"Hear, hear," said Nick as he raised a swab in the air. They continued to scour the crime scene looking for every last piece of evidence. Nick loaded the last of the cartons into the back of is Denali and turned to face Sara. "You ready to head back to the lab?"

She nodded then held up a finger. "Do you think, when we get back, you can handle things for awhile. Maybe an hour? I really want to go by your house and see Lexi. I haven't seen her all week. That seems to be her point, but I need to see my kid, Nick."

He chuckled. "Sure, I can spare you. Be quick about it though, or Grissom'll tan your hide."

"He spanks people?"

"Cute."

"I thought so," she said, grinning.


Lindsey and I chowed down on pizza until we were ready to burst. By midnight no one had called or come by, and we were beginning to get worried.

"You don't think they're going to send out the entire police force looking for me, do you?" I asked.

"If it was my mother looking for me, we wouldn't just have the police force; we'd have the entire armed forces of the country. Your mother is nothing like mine, so no worries about that, but I'd say it's a definite possibility of the police."

"Great," I moaned, "We are so dead."

"Oh, it won't be that bad."

"Maybe not if it was your mother, but with mine, it's a sure hit that I am deader than road kill."

"Is it worth it?"

"I hope so," I said giving a shaky laugh.


Sara killed the engine and strolled up the driveway to Nick's front door. She rapped on it twice, but no one answered. She tried the doorbell and felt an unnecessary fear building in her. She reached in her pocket and pulled out the key Nick had given her in case of an emergency. Does this qualify? she thought. I certainly hope not. She shoved the door open and entered the dark house. She called out to Lexi but there was no reply. She walked through the house throwing doors open and calling to her daughter. Again, only silence followed. The fear grew stronger. She yanked out her cell phone and dialed Nick's number.

"Nick, it's Sara. She's gone!" Sara broke down after the last syllable.


A/N2: What did you think?