AN: Okay, these first few scenes may be hard to follow just because it quickly flicks back and forth between Anna and Nick's date and the insanity between Regan, Bill, and Jillian. Sorry if I lose some of ya'll. Okay, on we go…but just a reminder…I DO NOT OWN JILLIAN STOKES, BILL STOKES, OR NICK STOKES…I do own Anna, Regan, Jennifer, and the restaurant at which Anna and Nick are eating.
Truth be told I've hated having to write how slow Nick and Anna's relationship is. In fact I'm constantly deleting scenes because they'd be moving too fast…and I'm sick of it. Just a heads up for when Nick and Anna do get together, their relationship is gonna take off quick. I'm not sayin there'll be lots of PDA in front of his parents and Regan, but they'll be close…lots of fluff.
Also, I hope ya'll liked Jen from the last chapter because she'll be makin a come back.
And…Nick's two worlds collide…for better…or worse? (Alright, if that's not a cliff hanger I don't know what is!) So…READ PLEASE!
Chapter 7: "That's so romantic."
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Delmarco Residence
Anna's Room
Monday May 9, 2004
6:23 p.m.
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Anna adjusted the straps of her fire engine red dress. Her long gold necklace with a tear drop red jewel hit her cleavage just right, and Jennifer had lent Anna her 'Natural Bra' to enhance her cleavage. The dress was a V cut, had spaghetti straps, embroider with barely noticeable gold sequined and sparkled flowers, and hit her just above her knee were the red lace toppled an inch over leaving only lace to cover the last part above her knees. She fixed her gold chandelier earrings and her gold bracelet with red jewels embroider in them.
Anna bent down to adjust the strap of her Steve Madden red mules with gold chain straps connecting the heel cover to the toe cover. She flipped up her straightened hair and pulled it high on her head with a red clip, letting several strands fall freely on her face and neck.
Anna applied more eye liner to create a nighttime Smokey eyed effect. She sprayed perfume on her chest and turned around to face Jennifer and Regan. "Okay, what do you think?"
Jennifer's eyes welled up. "Oh Annie Lee…"
"Okay Jen, I don't look that good."
"Yeah, you're right." Jennifer teased and Anna swatted her shoulder. Anna had called Jennifer as reinforcement because she had a feeling Jillian wouldn't want to spend that much time with Regan while knowing Nick was on a date with a girl she didn't like. Jennifer was ecstatic when she found out Nick was taking Anna on a date and was thrilled to help Bill baby-sit.
"I think you look beautiful Anna…you're gonna stop him dead in his tracks." Regan complimented. Anna smiled and leaned over to kiss her.
"Thank you Raggs. Now you be good for Bill and Jillian." She leaned over and kissed Jennifer's head too. "And you be good for Regan." She teased. Jennifer swatted her and shoved her towards the door.
"Shush and go on your date already."
She took one last spin in the mirror, "I am so glad I go tan even tan." She remarked and the laughed. Regan handed Anna her purse and Jennifer handed Anna her coat. "Thanks guys."
She walked into the living room, her heels clicking on the tile as she walked. She saw Nick before he saw her. He was wearing a black suit with a black shirt and red tie to match Anna's dress. His buttons on his cuffs were gold and he held a small box and flowers. Anna sucked in a breath and opened the doors that led to the kitchen and living room. He looked over at her quickly and his eyes bulged at the sight of her. He quickly bolted out of his seat and stared at her wide eyed.
"Whoa." He whispered and she smiled. His dad laughed and patted him on the back.
"Why don't you go to her?" His father suggested and Nick robotically walked to meet her. She flashed her perfectly white teeth and Nick grinned widely.
"Hi."
"Hi." Anna giggled.
"You look stunning."
"Thanks. You look really handsome."
Anna looked down at the box, then back up at Nick expectantly. She did this several times and coughed to signal that he was supposed to do something. Jennifer and Regan giggled at Nick's amazement of Anna. "I've never seen Nick so embarrassed and nervous to take a girl out on a date, and trust me, that's a lot of dates." Jennifer whispered to Regan who giggled.
"Son, why don't you give her the box?" Bill suggested.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, here." He thrust the box at her and Anna shook her head and chuckled.
"Thank you." She pulled open the lid and gasped when she saw the necklace inside. It was a 14K gold chain with a heart shaped locket on it. She looked at Nick and smiled.
"Open the locket." Nick insisted.
Anna raised a playful yet suspicious eyebrow and opened it up. She gasped at the picture in it. It was a picture of Regan with a flower in her hair, smiling at the camera. "Aww." Anna gushed and smiled at him. "Thanks. I'd uh, I'd probably kiss ya or something but I feel like I'm on display at a museum and PDA kinda freaks me out." She joked.
"Oh!" Everybody said at the same time. "Yeah, I've got home work." Regan lied and crawled away to her room.
"I have to go check on Jill." Bill ran to their room.
"And I gotta…I gotta-I…Oh hell I just gotta leave." Jennifer said and walked off towards Anna's bedroom. Anna laughed and looked back at Nick.
"You ready?" He asked her.
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Benito's Bistro
7:03 p.m.
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"No." Nick replied shaking his head. "I reserved the candle light balcony not the bar…those aren't even sort of the same thing." Nick sighed and looked behind him to make sure Anna hadn't moved from the bench she was waiting on. She was still sitting there obviously annoyed that the single guy sitting next to her was staring at her legs and constantly hitting on her. Nick sighed. "Please, could you try to get us into the seating I reserved?"
The maître d' sighed. "Fine, I'll try but sir, I cannot make any promises."
Nick smiled. "Thanks. Thank you man, very much." Nick waved and walked towards Anna. He smiled as she stood up.
"Please tell me we can go to our table now…very far away from this creepy guy." Anna gestured to the man staring at her but. Nick looked behind her and scowled at the guy. He coiled back in fear and started fiddling with his thumbs. Anna chuckled and looked back at Nick.
"I promise we'll get our table soon…there was just a mix up in the reservations. As soon as a table opens up we're getting it." Nick replied and Anna nodded. She sat back down and the man from before began to stare at her legs until Nick laid his hand across them protectively.
Anna chuckled, "I remember the last time I ate here; it was a total disaster."
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Delmarco Residence
7:21 p.m.
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"What a total disaster." Jennifer remarked while helping Regan clean up the mess of the Jenga pieces.
"Well, it is Jenga. That's sort of the point of the game." Regan commented.
"To make a mess?"
"No, to practice good hand/eye coordination…and make a mess."
Jennifer chuckled as she shoved the last of the pieces into the box. She looked up at Bill who was reading the newspaper by the light of lamp next to the recliner. "Bill, where's Jillian? I'm about to make diner and I have no idea what she wants to eat."
Bill flipped down the side of the newspaper so he could see Jennifer and Regan. He stood and walked towards the room he and Jillian were staying in. He knocked on the door, "Jillian…Jillian honey?" He opened the door and saw her sitting on the bed with her reading glasses, writing down numbers ferociously. "Jill?"
"Quick, come in here. Close the door."
Bill did as he was told.
"Um, Jen wants to know what you want for dinner."
"I don't care. Look at this." She shoved a paper in his face. "According to my calculations, Nick will be prone to leave her in approximately three days, four hours and twenty-five minuets!" She said excitedly.
"Woo hoo." Bill replied sarcastically. He plopped down on the bed next to her and looked over her work.
"I know. But, it's still not soon enough. So…"
"Here we go." Bill sighed and laid back.
"I have devised a plan…Operation Anna-Termination."
"How original."
"And…for the next three days we are going to make her life a living hell." She crawled towards him.
"Like you weren't already? And what's with this 'we' business?" She pinned him down by his shoulders as he raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"You, me, we. You're gonna help me." She drawled and Bill shook his head and gently pushed his wife off.
"No, oh no. I'm not gonna help you ruin that girls' life who has been nothing but nice and hospitable to you."
Jillian scoffed and rolled off the bed. "Nice…yeah right. You're telling me you don't see those glares she gives me?"
"Uh, you mean the glares you give her? Yes, I see them. I'm not helping with this."
"Hey, our vows said you were supposed to love and honor me…and stand by my side-"
"For richer and poorer, sickness and in health till death do us part. Yeah, I know…I was there. And no where in the vows did I say I promised to help you destroy innocent young girl's lives."
"Innocent? Innocent? Yeah, maybe in Hell."
"Jillian! Now, enough is enough. I've held my tongue long enough. It's time to quit torturing her and have fun on your vacation…we only have three days left."
"Well…these next three days are gonna be Hell."
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Benito's Bistro
7:34 p.m.
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"These last three days have been Hell." Nick commented.
"Well excuse me." Anna joked as she wiped her mouth.
"No! The part with you and Regan the Restless has been great…I mean my parents." Nick clarified and she chuckled. "You think so too, don't deny it."
She laughed. "I'm not bashing your parents on our first date…save it for the second."
"Oh, so there'll be a second?" Nick wiggled his eyebrows and she blushed.
"Moving on…I've been meaning to ask you, why were you out with your team today?" She took a sip of her red wine and looked at Nick.
"Well, I went back out this mornin to set up these reservations and run a few errands, Brass called me about a previous case I had worked, and by the time we had finished they were all headed out to breakfast and they asked if I wanted to go with 'em. I tried callin your cell but ya didn't answer."
"Oh…"
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Something's up…tell me."
"Do you think my job is pathetic?"
"No. Why?"
"Well, you have this great and exciting job and…I've got a fifteen year old's job."
"No…do you watch Friends?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you know Rachel, she was a waitress…and ya'll are about the same age."
"Yeah but…she had just moved to the city, and she only knew Monica and Ross."
"But she didn't have a college education." Nick pointed out.
"I don't either."
"Oh…well she didn't have a kid to support. The point is…you're doing what needs to be done to make ends meet for that little girl who loves you with all her heart. You could be a garbage lady and you would still have a noble job because you're doing what it takes to provide for the one ya love…that's the best job in the world." Nick finished and laid his hand over hers. "Besides, you have fun at your job, I can tell, and you have friends there. They'd support you in anything you do. So why do you care if your job is pathetic?"
"Well your job is like, this low profile, really important job that keeps this city running smoothly."
"So is yours."
She scoffed, "Oh really?"
"Yeah."
"How?"
"Well," He took a sip of wine. "If there wasn't a diner right down the street from the station where would all the police officers eat? Seriously, my friends and I don't eat anywhere else. If you didn't work there a ditzy high school kid could, and then the diner would go to Hell." Nick joked and Anna chocked on her wine while laughing.
"You're so full of it."
"What? It's the truth."
"Nick…"
"Okay, okay. My job isn't all that glamorous, I work constantly, never sleep, never eat, never make contact with another human being, hardly ever see the sun, and I spend 99.9 of my time with dead and decaying corpses. It isn't all that great."
"But…if you didn't have your job you would have never met me." Anna joked.
"Which makes it all worth the while."
"Aww." Anna smiled as Nick's hand flattened hers. Her gaze fell to their hands as she chewed her bottom lip seductively. She stretched her fingers so that they were entwined with his and she brought her gaze back up to his as she smiled. Nick smiled also and leaned in slightly.
"What can I get the two of you for dessert?" The waiter asked as he pulled out his notepad.
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Delmarco Residence
7:48 p.m.
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"I want an Oreo Sundae for dessert!" Regan exclaimed as she jumped down from the barstool she had been eating her food at. Jennifer watched her run through the kitchen and put her plate in the sink.
"You're done already?"
"Yeah." She rubbed her stomach. "I love grilled cheese and tomato soup."
Jennifer laughed. "Obviously. Well, why don't you go read a book while I make your Sundae?" Regan bounded off to her room as Jennifer continued to wash down the counters and take out two bowls and spoons. She collected the items she'd need to make a Sundae and set them on the counter. Within a few minuets they were ready. "Regan! Your Sundae is ready!" She called and waited a few minuets. When the little girl didn't appear Jennifer went to go look for her.
She poked her head into the girl's room and saw her asleep on her bed with a book on her face. Jennifer smiled as she picked up the book and set it back on her shelf. She slid Regan beneath the covers and turned off the girl's light. She walked back into the kitchen and picked up the second Sundae and looked up to see the living room. "Hey Bill, you want an ice cream Oreo Sundae?"
He smiled and nodded. She brought it to him and he gladly accepted it. "Where's Regan?"
"Asleep."
"Ah, congratulations, you've tired out the infamous Regan the Restless. You deserve a medal. Nick said he and Anna have to argue with her for twenty minuets to even convince her to get ready for bed."
Jennifer chuckled. "Well, I think she just wants to get to sleep so she can go back to school and finish out the school year. Annie Lee told me that 'horror high school Barbie' as she deemed her is transferring classes because Regan kicked her butt in a fight. So Regan won't have to deal with The Blondies anymore."
"But won't that just make the rest of The Blondies angry? She got their 'leader' in trouble."
Jennifer shook her head and took a bite of her Sundae. "No, girls now, as long as you take out the 'leader' their powerless. They pick a girl and make her head of the group; if she looses a fight or something like that the girls in the group are basically useless. It's like in nature; Annie told me Regan explained it to her as 'The Queen Bee'. Without the queen bee all the other bees die because she is their lifeline. With Brittney out of the picture their just average girls."
She took another bite of her ice cream.
"Oh…whatever happened to just going to school, doing your work, and being friends?"
"It ended as soon as they canceled The Brady Bunch."
Bill chuckled, "Thanks. I don't feel old."
Jennifer chuckled, "Sorry."
"Ah, never mind it…just don't say that to Jillian…she'll kill ya."
"I haven't seen much of Jillian…is she okay?" Jennifer was eager to meet the woman who despised Anna so much. She wanted to see why and if she really was as intimidating and nasty as Anna had said.
"She's feeling a little sun sick from yesterday."
"Oh…" She continued with her ice cream and Bill wondered if Anna had relayed any of suspicions onto Jennifer.
"So how long have you and Anna been friends?"
"About four years. We met when I first moved here. I followed my sister out here and was a showgirl for a while until I decided it wasn't for me. So I walked into this random diner and saw that they were hiring. I walked in the door and slipped on a banana peel."
"Ouch."
"Yeah, can you imagine that? Slipping on a banana peel in six inch stripper heels? It sucked. Well, Annie bandaged me up and recommended me to the boss. He said I'd get the job on one condition."
"What?"
"No stripper shoes."
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Benito's Bistro
8:02 p.m.
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"Whoa! Check out her stripper shoes. How does she walk in those?" Anna stated amazed at the size of the woman's high heels. Nick chuckled and looked behind him.
Nick shook his head. "My question is how can she shake that ass in those?" Anna joked and took a sip of wine. Nick smiled and looked back at her. He heard the band begin to play a familiar song. He smiled and extended his hand to Anna. "Would you like to dance?"
She smiled and looked at the band when she realized the song. It was I'll Be by Edwin McCain. She looked over at his boyish grin and she felt herself melt. He captivated his hand with hers and led her towards the small area provided as a dance floor.
They began to sway to the soft melody of Edwin McCain's voice. Nick placed a random kiss in the crook of her neck and she smiled. She brought him closer to her and Nick's embrace on her tightened. "Sneaky." Anna murmured and Nick chuckled as he whispered,
"You remembered…"
"Yeah, considering this song seems to have followed us for the past two days…and it just happens to be one of my favorite songs."
"Really? What are some other ones?"
"Well…there's Iris by The Googoodolls, and then Be by Jessica Simpson, Because Of You by Kelly Clarkson, Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet…I can't think of anymore. What are some of your favorite songs?"
"Uh, well…Where You Are by Rascal Flatts, I Go Back by Kenny Chesney, In Another's Eyes by Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks, The Reason by Hoobastank, and…that's it."
"You sounded like you wanted to say another one." Anna called him on his blunder.
"No." He lied.
"Aw, come on, what is it?"
"Promise not to laugh?"
"Yeah."
He sighed, "Breathe by Faith Hill…she uh…" He blushed. "This is the dumbest thing but…she really loves the guy she's with. And I uh…I kinda want a girl to feel like that about me too." Anna pursed her lips to keep from smiling. "You're laughing."
Anna shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. She sputtered and chocked to keep from laughing. "Uh uh."
"Yes you are."
She began laughing so hard she was crying. She stuck her head on his shoulder and pulled him closer to her. "No." She laughed between gasps for air.
"I knew I shouldn't have told you."
"No, no." She took his face in her hands. "I'm laughing because it's sweet. It shows you're comfortable enough with your sexuality to admit that you liked that kind of song…personally for me that's a turn on."
"Really?" Nick wiggled his eyebrows and Anna rolled her eyes.
"Well it was."
Nick laughed and she rested her head back on his shoulder as the song changed to another slow song. They continued to dance and Nick sighed. "Do you want to go somewhere with me?" Nick asked as he pulled away.
She raised an eyebrow, but when she studied his face she smiled, "Okay." He smiled back and took her hand and laid down the money on their table as they walked out of the restaurant. "Where are we going?"
Nick sighed, "I knew that was comin!"
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Delmarco Residence
Bill and Jillian's
Guest Room
8:15 p.m.
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"I knew you'd say that!" Jillian exclaimed as she threw her hands in the air and plopped down on the bed.
"I'm not going to bait Anna with Darren. You are out of control. Just leave the poor girl alone."
"No. It is my job as a mother to make sure my son is happy."
"He is. If you'll take two minuets off from plannin you'll be able to see that." He drawled.
"Look, as soon as Nick sees that Anna doesn't really have any feelings for him he'll drop her flat on her big ass."
"Jill," He took his wife by the shoulders gently and looked her in the eye. "You are going insane. You are becoming obsessive compulsive and you need to stop. I'll help you."
She shook her head and wriggled out of grasp. "Bill, I'll leave it alone once he leaves her." She sighed and sat down on the bed. Bill sighed and walked out of the room and into the living room where Jennifer was reading a Cosmopolitan magazine. Bill sighed as he walked past her and through the kitchen, dinning room, and out to the patio in Anna's back yard.
He pulled up a chair and propped his feet up on the table and watched the stars and moon. He pulled a cigar out of his pocket and produced a lighter also. He unwrapped his cigar and lit it. The smoke flitted into the air and blurred the stars from his vision. He wanted badly to tell his son of his wife's plans, but he had promised Jillian he wouldn't.
Basically he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He rubbed his forehead and thought about what schemes his wife was planning. "This week's gone all to Hell."
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Turtle Park
Parking Lot
8:23 p.m.
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"Where the Hell are we?" Anna asked frustrated. Nick paid the taxi cab and stepped out of the car after her. They had been driving for what seemed like forever and it was pitch black so Anna couldn't see a thing. She growled in frustration and Nick chuckled as he grabbed her hand and led her towards a small counter…and suddenly Anna realized where she was. "The ice cream counter…you took me to get ice cream?"
"Yep."
"That's so romantic." Anna smiled and kissed his cheek. Nick smiled.
"Two chocolate ice cream cones please." Nick ordered and Anna smiled. He slid the money on the counter and she handed him the cones. "Have a good night."
They walked away and he led her to the swings. Anna laughed. "Awww."
"Well, you know what they say…" He handed her the cone, "You're never too old to swing on the swings. Just please don't jump off this time."
Anna laughed harder and licked the cone. "I think I like this better than the restaurant part…although that was awesome." She smirked and Nick laughed.
"Well, when you've been on as many dates as I have, you learn to get it right." He joked and Anna laughed and swatted his arm. "You see, that's one of the many amazing things about you; if I had said that to any other girl she'd have walked away."
"Well, I'm one of kind Stokes."
"I know, lucky find." He smiled and she grinned.
"Plus, its pitch black and I have no idea where I'm going. I ain't risking tripping in these heels."
"That reminds me," and set his ice cream cone on the small cement space next to the swings and knelt down by Anna's feet. He began to un-strap her sandals and take them off her feet. He held them with his finger and sat back down. "You had a couple drinks of wine and you're lookin kinda tipsy…I don't want you to fall."
Anna smiled. "How considerate of you Mr. Stokes." Anna joked and Nick smiled.
"Hey, my Mama raised me right; I know how to treat a lady."
"Okay, I have a question…now this is kinda personal and third date talk so you don't have to answer it if you don't want to."
"So there will be a third date?"
Anna pursed her lips. "If you answer my question I'll think about the possibility of a second date."
"Really? What's the question?"
"What was your move to get all those women to fall for you?"
Nick laughed, "Um…"
Anna laughed. "Bet that second date ain't sounding so good now, huh?"
"I show 'em my sensitive side, bring out my Southern drawl, and constantly look at her eyes." He answered automatically. Anna laughed.
"Oh my God! That's your moves!"
"Hey!" Nick feigned hurt, "I got you didn't I?" Anna scowled playfully and Nick laughed. "Alright little miss hot shot, what's your moves?"
"Mine?" She paused. "I don't have any."
"Bull!"
"What?"
"Bull. You gotta have moves. Even I have moves and look at me." He boasted jokingly.
Anna laughed, "I take it you didn't brag around 'em either?"
"Got you didn't I?"
"Ah!" She gaped and tired not to smile at him. "You're so gonna get slapped by the end of this night." She tried to hold a straight face but failed miserably. Truth be told, she was enjoying their banter. He couldn't have been cuter in her eyes.
"Come on, what are your moves?"
She sighed, "Alright…I'll ask… 'Can I borrow your phone?'"
"What! Geez Anna, you're lucky you're friggin hot."
"Nick, come on. I'll ask if I can borrow his phone and…pretend to break up with my boyfriend and…"
"Play the damsel in distress card?"
"Yes. Or, I'll drop my pencil or something." Nick burst out laughing for three minuets straight, and Anna merely rolled her eyes. "Okay," She waited till Nick sat up straight and she dropped her napkin. As she bent down to pick it up she placed her hand on his knee nonchalantly to balance herself. She sat back up and brushed off her napkin as though nothing had happened and he wasn't even there. Still looking forward she replied, "And then I play the 'invisible you're-not-here' card. And I don't acknowledge him unless he makes the first move." She finally looked back over to a very flustered Nick. "See?" She replied smugly.
"Wow."
"I know."
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Delmarco Residence
Garage
9:16 p.m.
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"Wow."
"I know."
"I mean wow." Bill gaped at the collection of video games in Anna's garage. She had almost five hundred video games, machines, and action figures pertaining to the games all collected in the back room of her garage. "I don't think I've seen this many games even in EB Games."
"Yeah, Anna's a freak for 'em. I don't know why but she absolutely adores them. It's like her thing. I've got gossip magazines, Regan has bugs, and Anna has her games." Jen replied and looked through all the games.
"Nick would freak if he saw this." Bill began to walk around the room and admire all the hundreds of games.
"He loves video games too?"
"Oh yeah…he would spend all the time he wasn't studying and partying in college playing his beloved games. I think he'd have a heart attack if he saw this many games."
Jennifer laughed. "I don't get why they're so great…it could be because I suck at them but…I don't know." The two heard a door open and two different pairs of footsteps. Jennifer laughed. "Okay, sorry to drag you away from this but I think they're back."
She turned off the light and they walked out of the garage and through the side door that led the hallway to the living room. They met up with Anna and Nick in the living room. Anna held up her hand before Jennifer could say anything. "Hang on, since Nick and I are staying in the same house he's walking me to my room and pretending like it's my front door."
"No hokey pokey." Bill warned jokingly.
"Yes hokey pokey." Jennifer joked and Anna and Nick laughed.
"Shut up." Anna shook her head and Nick followed her towards the back of the house. Jen and Bill laughed and Bill went to his room and Jennifer picked up her coat and walked to the front door.
"Bye Annie Lee! Bye Nick! Have fun you two!" She called and Anna's response came from down the hall.
"Go home Jen! I'll pay ya tomorrow!"
"You can pay me in gossip!" She yelled before darting out of the house.
Anna shook her head and stopped at her bedroom door. She turned to face Nick and chuckled. "Thank you for walking me to my door."
"You're welcome. I know there are some whack's out there and I wanted to make sure you were safe." He joked and Anna laughed.
"Well thank you. Now, I don't kiss on the first date…so…good night." She smiled and shook his hand.
Nick chuckled and shook her hand back. "Good night. Sleep well Anna."
She smiled sweetly. "Sleep well Nick."
She turned and went into her room and closed the door as Nick turned and walked down the hallway and disappeared around the corner. She moaned and banged her head slightly on the door. "Should've kissed him." She sighed and set her shoes on the floor and walked away from the door. She had only taken two steps when she heard a soft knock on her door. She turned around and opened it to see Nick with his arm resting on the other half of her French doors. She raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Yes?"
"I know you don't kiss on the first date but technically this isn't our first date. We went out fishing and to the restaurant and the park and…" Nick let his thought trail off as he leaned in and kissed her gently on her lips.
After a few seconds Anna realized what was happening; Nick began to pull away but she grabbed the back of his head and pulled him back to her. His hands found their way to her hips and rested there gently. She kept one hand on the back of his head while the other one roamed over the strong muscles of his back. His grasp on her tightened as he wrapped his arms around her waist and she began to walk backwards leading him through the door. He kicked it shut behind him and she brought her hands to the top of his jacket and slowly pushed it off his shoulders.
He smiled at her. "Geez Anna." He teased and she chuckled as her lips crashed back into his. He pulled back. "What happened to your 'no kissing on the first date' rule?"
"I made an acceptation." She smiled and kissed him lightly. His hands came from her waist up her back and through her hair. She chuckled and he moved his hands and slid them down her shoulders and arms. He loosened his tie and slipped it off his head. She laughed and slid off her bracelet, earrings, and necklace. She reached up and pulled the clip from out of her hair. Her long brown hair toppled over her shoulders and Nick smiled.
"Wow." He replied and she kissed him again. He started walking forward and placed her between him and the wall. She chuckled and Nick smirked. "What?"
She shook her head and brought her arms up and rested them on his shoulders as she played with the ends of his hair. She pulled away and smiled. "What the Hell was in that wine?" She joked and Nick laughed.
"Yeah…that wasn't my typically good night kiss."
"Yeah…me neither."
"Normally we'd skip the kiss and fall right into bed."
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Delmarco Residence
Anna's Room
Tuesday May 10, 2004
7:32 a.m.
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Anna woke up feeling refreshed and satisfied. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the soft sun light filter through the blinds and she smiled. She rolled over and stretched her limbs as far as they would go. She sighed and curled back up in a ball.
She opened her eyes again and sat up. She looked around the room and saw clothes strewn about the room. Some were hers and some were Nick's. "Uh oh." She whispered and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She stood up and fixed her plaid boxer shorts and tiny white tee shirt as she grabbed her clip from off the nightstand and pinned her hair up in a clip. She grabbed her robe and slid on her slippers and walked out of her room and down the hall.
She walked into the kitchen where Jen was cooking eggs and Regan, Bill, and Jillian were sitting at counter on the barstools. Jen looked at Anna and smiled. "Hey Hon…you look well rested. Did ya sleep well?" Jen turned back around and finished cooking.
"Uh…yeah. I did. Um, where's Nick?"
"He went back out to run some errands. He said he'd be back a little after 8 so he should be back any minuet." Bill answered. Anna bit her lower lip nervously and walked tentatively to the couch and sat down.
"Anna, you don't look too good…are you okay?" Regan asked.
"Yeah Honey, I'm fine…I just think I had a few too many glasses of wine."
"You were drunk? Was Nick? Did he drive?" Jillian asked worried.
Anna looked over at her and paused before answering. "I wasn't drunk, neither was Nick, and no…we took a cab."
Nick walked in the door and set the bags from CVS down on the counter. Anna smiled weakly at him and he returned it. They were both thinking the same thing… 'What happened last night?'
"I'm gonna eat my eggs outside, who wants to join me?" Jennifer asked.
"I'll go." Regan replied. Bill and Jillian followed. On their way out the door Jillian kissed Bill on the cheek affectionately and Anna smiled as she watched them.
"Uh Nick…did anything happen last night?"
He paused. "I don't think so. I remember you were kind of tipsy from the alcohol…we kissed."
"I don't normally do that on the first date by the way."
"I know…anyway, I think we stopped and you kinda fell asleep. I laid you in your bed and made sure you were okay…I stayed with you for a while to make sure your breathing was even and you woke up and went to the bathroom. You threw up…a lot, and then you took a shower and got dressed, you walked back out and fell back asleep. I think you kinda forgot I was there. So I went back to my room and fell asleep. I'm pretty sure that's what happened. I could be wrong; I was kind of out of it last night, but not enough to try anything."
"Well then why were some of your clothes in my room?"
Nick chuckled and rubbed his forehead. "You uh, you tried to undress me."
She blushed. "Oh…sorry."
Nick chuckled, "Its okay."
"So you're pretty sure nothing happened?"
"Yes."
"Okay…what's in the bag?"
"Oh." he opened it up and produced Advil, Tylenol, Gatorade, a chocolate bar, cappuccino mix, Snickers bar, a golf magazine, a pack of bubble gum, and Cosmopolitan magazine. Anna smiled. "Tylenol or Advil?"
"Advil."
"Good, Tylenol is my morning hang-over fix. Gatorade for me, chocolate for you, Cappuccino mix for mom and dad, Snickers for mom, Golf magazine for dad, Cosmopolitan for Jen, and bubble gum for Regan." He looked up at her and smiled.
"Aw, how thoughtful."
He chuckled and smiled. "So…what's on the agenda for today?"
She sighed. "Work. Carol has the flu. I'm in all week."
Nick sighed, "Oh."
"Sorry. But, if the diner isn't that busy I get to leave early."
Nick moaned and grabbed her hand. She entwined her fingers with his and he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. She chuckled. "When does your shift start?"
"In about an hour."
"Which means you have to leave…"
"In like thirty minuets…I'm dropping Regan off on the way."
"You need a ride?"
Anna shook her head as she stood up. "No, Jen and I are car pooling." Nick frowned slightly and she smiled. "Awww…okay, you can take me to work if you want." She walked over to his chair and stood in front of him. She rested her knee on the space of the chair not covered by his legs. She rested her hands on his shoulders and he set his on her hips.
"Okay." He smiled.
"You just have to promise to leave me at the door. No following me in and trying to keep me from doing my job." Anna warned. "Wait what about your parents…I don't want to leave them here all by themselves."
"What do you think they were doin yesterday?"
"True. Alright, do you have to run any more errands?" He shook his head.
"Nope. What time do you get off work?"
She laughed and pulled away from him. "I haven't even left yet and you wanna know what time I'm gonna be back?" She began to clean up the counter and kitchen and Nick helped her.
"Yes…I have a surprise for you when you get back." She raised her manicured eyebrow and turned to face him.
"Really…" She asked and leaned into him pining him between the counter and her frame. She slid her arms around his waist and smiled seductively. "…what is it?"
Nick dropped his jaw in disbelief and pushed her away playfully. "You are horrible when it comes to surprises!" He accused and she giggled.
"Aww, come on! Please tell me."
"No." He objected and continued cleaning. She took his arm and turned him towards her again. She pressed her body against his and he laughed. "Anna Delmarco," He began in mock-disapproval. "Using your sexuality in getting your way…I'm ashamed." He joked and she chuckled.
"Please tell me."
"Nope."
"Please…just a hint."
"Nooo."
"Please?"
"Okay."
"Really?" She asked excited.
"No."
She huffed and swatted his arm. "Pweese?" She asked in a baby voice. He chuckled.
"Using your baby face? That's low…that ain't even right." He drawled and she laughed.
"Come on! Why won't you tell me?"
Nick laughed, "I like to see you squirm."
She rolled her eyes. "I get it…this is payback for not letting you help me do my job."
Nick laughed as she wiped down the counter. "Yes Anna, that's it. I'm giving you a surprise as torture for doing your job."
She sighed and set down the hand towel. "Fine…I give up." She walked towards the door in surrender and Nick laughed as he watched her open the sliding door and call out to Regan. "Raggs, honey, time to get ready for school…do you have your book bag packed? Okay." She walked back in and smiled guiltily at Nick. "They've been ready for an hour…they were waiting on me." She shrugged and turned to go into her room. Nick watched her robe flutter behind her and he shook his head as he went outside to join his parents, Jen, and Regan.
He walked out and saw his mom had a thesaurus in her lap and they were all laughing. He raised his brow and looked at his mom. She smiled and explained, "We're testing Regan's knowledge of the English language."
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Nick's Tahoe
7:59 a.m.
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"I swear Regan you know every word in the English dictionary? Do you spend your summer reading the dictionary?"
"Yes." Anna and Regan answered in unison. Nick shook his head at Jennifer's expression.
"You act like that surprises you Jen." Nick asked looking at her in his rear view mirror. Jennifer made a face and he chuckled and put his eyes back on the rode. Anna laughed and shook her head. Nick looked over at her and smiled and patted her knee.
"When Raggs was four, she would sit with her pen and paper and watch Jeopardy, and she'd write down facts or words or quotes she didn't know, and then after the show she'd Google 'em or look them up in the dictionary." Anna informed Nick.
"Wow." He said and Anna chuckled.
"For her second grade book report she did Hamlet by William Shakespeare, she identified all the themes, controversies, symbols, intense vocabulary, and gave her opinion on Shakespeare's classical form of writing and what she thought the hidden meaning behind his famous works was." Jennifer stated.
"That's when we decided to move her up a 'couple' grades." Anna replied and Nick laughed.
"Okay, okay. Can we get back to studying now?" Regan asked and Anna laughed. She turned slightly and put her leg up so she was comfortable while watching Jennifer and Regan. Nick's hand still rested on her knee and he would occasionally drum his fingers to the beat of the music, tickling Anna.
"Alright…define execrable."
"Inferior; of poor quality; or abominable." Regan answered.
Jen huffed, "Alright Little Miss Smarty Pants…how about malcontent?"
"Someone who is discontented or dissatisfied. That was easy."
Jennifer shook her head. "They're all easy for you." She grunted and Nick chuckled. Regan rolled her eyes and smiled. "Okay…I have a tough one…aspersion."
"A damaging or derogatory remark, also known as slander. The second definition is sprinkling with water, such as in religious ceremonies."
Jennifer huffed and closed the book. "It's official; you know every word in the English dictionary."
"Anyone have the Spanish dictionary?" Regan asked in all seriousness and Jennifer sighed. Anna pursed her lips to keep from laughing and Nick looked in his rearview mirror and smiled at Regan.
"Oh yeah…you and Grissom will get along just fine."
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LVPD Crime Lab
Grissom's Office
9:12 a.m.
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"Come on Griss, the two of you'll get along just fine. I promise." Nick pleaded. Grissom sighed and looked over at Sara who was in the chair next to Nick and smirking.
"I think it'd be a good idea." She replied softly and Grissom scowled. She shrugged innocently and he shook his head.
"Nick…she's seven."
"Yeah, a seven year old who happens to be a child prodigy." Nick responded.
"Is Anna even okay with this?"
"Yes…"
"Nick." Grissom replied in a warning tone.
"She is." He insisted. "She's not crazy about the idea but she gave permission."
Grissom sighed. "I don't think having a young child, no matter how smart they are, tour the lab…it could be dangerous."
"No more dangerous than an adult touring the lab." Nick countered and Grissom huffed. Sara ducked her head and pursed her lips to keep from smiling.
"Nick…" he sighed when he saw the look on the young man's face.
"It's not as if she's doing it for a field trip. She's doing a report in biology/life science on entomology. She has dozens of books and is studying to be one herself but I think it'd be great if she could speak with a professional. Do you have any idea how excited she was when I told her she could actually meet you?"
Grissom looked up surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah. She was thrilled."
Grissom paused and thought about the options and consequences. He sighed. "Okay…" Nick and Sara smiled at each other and high-fived "…she can have a tour of the lab. But only with you there, adult supervision constantly, and only if Anna is positive."
"She is…but she has one condition also." Nick paused and Grissom looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "No actual dead bodies."
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Lake Mead High School
Mr. Roberts' Class
Physical Education
Football Field
1:46 p.m.
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"It's dead!" Christy Brinks screamed in horror. She slowly back away hugging her pom poms to her chest. Several other cheerleaders ran up to their friend and gasped when they saw the body.
"Oh My God!" Another cheerleader screamed and the coach ran up to them.
"What's going on! You're disrupting practice-" He stopped short when he saw the body. "Jesus." He swore and took off his hat; while wiping the sweat from his forehead.
The body of a young man was lying under the bleachers covered by the bushes. His throat had been slashed near decapitation and his limbs were at odd angels.
Regan had been sitting in the bleachers reading some of her books when she heard the commotion and saw the crowd. Ever the good sleuth, she walked up to the crowd and slipped between the people until she saw the body. Her eyes widened and her criminalist skills kicked in. "Stay back everyone. Back up!" She ordered and everyone looked down at her. "Now!" She ordered and they did as they were told. The coach pulled out his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1.
"Listen to the kid. Everyone stay back! Brianna, take Christy o go get some water and take her to the nurse."
"No." Regan objected and the coach looked at her. "She was the first one to see the body. She has to stay here. Does anyone have a water bottle?" Regan asked and someone handed her one. She accepted it and gave it to Christy. "Drink small sips…try not to pass out. Okay, everyone needs to back up at least twenty feet away from the body. And don't touch ANYTHING." She ordered.
The coach helped clear the people out and informed the police on what the situation was. He hung up the phone and walked over to Regan. "I called the police. They're sending someone out."
"Okay, please take the cheerleaders to a shaded area so they'll calm down but keep them within short distance. The CSIs will want to talk to them."
The coach looked at her for a moment. "You're Regan Delmarco aren't you?"
Regan nodded and the coach smirked. "You are smart."
"Thanks."
He nodded as he walked away to where the cheerleaders were. He had heard about her from the teacher's lounge. Some teachers liked her, some didn't. Most didn't because she often corrected their mistakes or asked a lot of questions…to them it seemed annoying. To most it seemed endearing.
"Dude…I think I'm about to be sick." One of the football players announced.
"Not around the body. Go to one of the bathrooms or at least ten yards away." Regan instructed and one of the guy's friends led him away from the scene. Regan cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, "Someone with a phone needs to call into the front office!"
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Lake Mead H. S.
Hallway
2:29 p.m.
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"Excuse me, where is the front office?" Sara asked stopping a random student in the hallway. He pointed behind him at the door at the end of the hallway. She looked from it, to him. "Thank you."
Sara glanced behind her and motioned for Greg to follow her. He picked up his pace and trotted along behind her. He looked at her back and sighed. "Are you sure I'm ready for this?"
"No…" Greg's eyes widened in fear, "but you'll be fine. I have faith in you."
"Really?" Greg wiggled his eyebrows at her. "So does this mean you'd have faith in a date?"
"Yes." She replied and Greg's face lit up. "But not with you." She looked behind her and smiled.
"That's cold."
"I know. Now act professional, we're on a case."
"Yes ma'am." He saluted her and she shook her head. Before they went into the office Sara adjusted her dark green long sleeved shirt and smoothed her long brown hair. She pointed to a lone spike sticking out of Greg's hair. He sighed and smoothed it down. She smiled and turned the door knob.
The two of them stepped inside the madness to the flurry of police officers, parents, school board members, and teachers. Sara raised her brow. She brought her finger to her lips and whistled. "Excuse me!" Everyone stopped and looked at the attractive young brunette and the cautious man behind her. "Hi, I need to speak with the principal and Captain Jim Brass…are they in here?"
"Yes." Brass said stepping forward. He walked up to them. "Body's in the field."
"Show me where."
"Wait!" The principal called stepping forward. "No one's going anywhere until I get some answers." He stepped into the small circle the CSIs and detective had formed.
"Sir, as soon as we have answers, you'll have answers. Until then, I can't guarantee you anything."
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Football Field
2:35 p.m.
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Sara, Greg, and Brass crossed the field to where the 419 was located. Sara scanned the crowed as they neared. She stopped when they were within a reasonable distance of the body and she looked around the crowd. "Who was the first on the scene?"
"Me." A girl in a cheerleading uniform stepped forward. She looked as if she had just seen a ghost. Sara looked at her for a moment.
"Hi, I'm Sara Sidle, this is Greg Sanders. We're from the Las Vegas crime lab."
"Greg?" Regan pushed her way through the crowd and saw the older guy. She smiled. "Greg."
He smiled back and stepped towards her and knelt down so he was at her height. "Hey Regan, what's up?"
"Not much…you're workin the case?"
"Not alone, between you and me I'm still a trainee. Sara's mentoring me."
"Sara…Sidle?"
"Yes?" Sara asked turning around. Regan looked up at the woman and smiled. Sara recognized her instantly. "I'm guessing you're Regan?"
"Yes…you're one of Nick's friends."
"Yep. Ya know, I met your sister, she said you liked bugs?"
"No, I love bugs."
Sara smiled. "We actually have an entomologist on his way…"
A smile spread across Regan's face and her eyes lit up. "Really?"
Sara nodded and Brass waving her over caught her eye. She waved back. "I'll talk to ya later Regan. Probably about the body." Sara suddenly remembered Anna's rule of no 'live' viewings of DB's for Regan. She put on a smile and patted Regan's back as she walked over to Brass. "Do me a favor?" She asked. "Would you call Nick…tell him Regan's here. "
"Don't get him worried but let him know what Regan saw." Brass finished for her.
"She saw the body?"
"Yeah, the coach said she was handling it like a professional, 'Like a little officer.' were his exact words."
Sara smirked. "She's a card…"
"Grissom has got to meet her." Brass declared and Sara looked behind her at the young girl sitting on the bleachers, continuing reading her book. Sara looked at the cover and saw it was The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Sara smiled.
"I have a feeling they'll get along just fine." Sara stated and chuckled.
AN: What'd ya think? Let me know. I'll try to get the next chapter up by Wednesday :)
R&R Please:)
