A/N: Just so you know, the investigation of the death at Regan's high school is carrying on into this chapter. But it won't go that in depth because that's not what I'm doing for this book. It will have cases but they won't be the focus. This book focuses on the drama behind the investigation.
Chapter 8: "Speaking of breaking rules…"
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Al's Diner
Tuesday
May 10, 2004
2:36 p.m.
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Anna placed her empty tray on the small table by Mac's window and knelt down next to it to pick up her pen and pad. She stood back up and heard snickers coming from behind her. She turned around to see two men smiling deviously at her. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
Mac rang his bell. "Table 2 is up!" He called and ducked back down to continue cooking.
She walked over to him and placed the orders on her tray. He smiled as usual and she returned it blushing. She circled around the counter and tried to ignore the obnoxious men making degrading comments about her. She sighed, but put on a smile and walked over to the table.
"Hi. Sorry about the wait. Alright, grilled cheese and tomato soup with an iced tea, pizza squares; bacon, cheese, pepperoni…" She set the food by the rightful owners. "Cheese burger; no mayo, hold the tomato, with French fries and a diet coke, and a garden salad with water." She finished and flashed a big smile. "Enjoy." She walked back to the counter and sighed. A strand of straight brown hair fell in her face and she pushed it back behind her ear.
"Hey cutie, how about you submit…and take my order." One of them joked. He laughed and did a hand shake with his friend. Anna ignored them.
"Hey. Legs. I know what I want." The second one barked. Anna looked up and glared. She sighed and pulled out her pad and pen.
"What can I get you?"
"How about your legs over easy and a nice piece of ass?" He wiggled his eyebrows and she glared. "Come on sexy…service me." He joked.
"Unless you're actually gonna order something, I suggest you leave." She snapped and focused on ignoring them.
"I did order somethin. You just won't give it to me…hey, come on honey." He grabbed her arm and she looked up in shock.
"Don't touch me." Anna demanded, her accent thick with malcontent.
He yanked her toward him. "Come on."
A strong pair of hands landed on their shoulders and the laughter stopped. The hands turned them and fear struck their faces when they saw the burly police officer. "Hello officer." The young man mocked once the fear had subsided.
Nick glared. "Do either of you know what a sexual harassment suit is…how about you get up close and personal with one?" Their eyes widened and Nick looked up at Anna. "Miss, would you like to file a sexual harassment suit against these two?"
"Ya know officer…I think I would." Anna replied playing along as though she didn't know Nick.
One of the men turned around to face her. "Please, don't. My wife would kill me."
Nick turned them to face him again. "Then I suggest you apologize to the lady, go far far away from here, and don't come back in here." Nick growled; his drawl ten times thicker then normal.
The two young men quickly scurried out of the diner and Anna and Nick watched them go. Once they were out of view Anna smiled at Nick. "Why thank you officer."
"No problem lil' lady." He shook his head in modesty and smiled at her. She blushed and chuckled. "Sorry I broke your rule about staying at my car…I was actually gonna stand at the door and call your cell to ask if I could come in." Nick explained and Anna laughed. "I'm serious. But I uh, I saw them annoying you and then he grabbed your arm…"
"Aww." Anna swooned and cupped the side of his face. "It's okay that you broke my rule…this time."
Nick chuckled and sat down on the barstool. "Speaking of breaking rules…"
"What'd you do?"
Nick chuckled, "Um…how mad would you be if Regan happened to have seen an actual dead body?"
Anna moaned, "Ugh, Nick. You promised no dead bodies on the lab tour."
"It wasn't at the lab." Nick stated and Anna raised a confused eyebrow. "She was on the football field during PE and they discovered the dead body of a teenage boy."
"Oh my God. Is she okay?"
Nick nodded, "She's fine. Brass said the coach told him she was out there barkin orders and handlin it like a pro. She kept the people from contaminating the scene." Nick relayed and Anna laid her head in her hands for a moment before looking back up at Nick.
"Are you sure she's okay? She's got a well built façade, despite my best efforts; she can hide things really well."
"I'm sure. She's talkin to Griss." Nick replied nonchalantly.
"Oh no."
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Lake Mead High School
Football Field
3:08 p.m.
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"Yes."
"I knew it." Regan smiled proudly and Grissom turned through the next page of her book. He found another bug and showed it to Regan.
"How about this one?"
Regan studied it for a moment then smiled. "Grylloblattidae. They're most common in cold areas, often in mountains, under rocks, in litter in forests, and in caves. In summer the North American species feed at night on insects frozen on the surface of snow fields; they are somewhat omnivorous."
Grissom nodded and smiled as he continued flipping through the book. Anna and Nick watched from a distance with smiles on their faces. "See…I know what I'm doing."
Anna scoffed, "Alright, but if she starts holing herself up in her room more than often, racing cockroaches, and pushing people she loves away…you're dead." Anna joked and Nick chuckled as they walked towards the duo.
"Burn on Grissom." Nick mumbled while chuckling. "Hey guys." He greeted as they approached them. Regan looked up and smiled at Anna. Grissom looked behind him and stood up tentatively.
"Hello again Ms. Delmarco." He extended his hand and she smiled and shook it.
"Mr. Grissom." She nodded. "So what have you two been up to?"
"Discussing the mating, eating, and nesting habits of various insects through out North and South America and Africa." Regan answered simply.
"Oh." Anna gave Nick a lost look. He shrugged and she looked back over at Regan. "Sounds nice."
Grissom looked at the woman nervously. "I was um…trying to keep her away from the body." He whispered and Anna smiled.
"Thank you."
He smiled proudly and nodded. "You're welcome. Regan is really intelligent."
"So I've heard." Anna joked and Grissom blushed.
"Right…you would know because she's your sister…"
Anna chuckled and Nick smiled. He leaned over to Grissom, "Relax man…she ain't gonna kick your ass because ya'll were near the body."
Grissom raised his eyebrow at Nick and Nick shrugged. Anna kneeled down next to Regan. "You alright Hon?"
Regan nodded, "I was having fun. He showed me one of the bugs that crawled off the body. He couldn't take it off the body because the coroner isn't here yet, but her put it in a container and is waiting to collect the rest. Once the coroner, David, shows up he's going to back to the lab and see how long the body has been here."
"Oh..." Anna looked up at Nick with a lost expression on her adorable face. Nick shrugged again and Anna smiled and looked at Regan. "Okay."
Regan smiled. "It's alright to say you don't know what I'm talking about but by the sound of it you're creeped out."
Anna gave a sweet smile, "Thanks Sweetie…that's a much needed break." She hugged Regan and stood up; as she did so spotted Greg and Sara walking towards them. Anna smiled as Greg picked up his pace and grinned wildly.
"Hi Anna!" He knocked her two steps back with his hug. She laughed and returned it.
"Hi Greg…nice to see you too." He still hadn't let go and she looked over at Nick for assistance. He stepped forward and pried the young man off of her. Sara shook her head and stepped forward to shake Anna's hand.
"Hello Anna, nice to see you again." Sara greeted and Anna flashed a brilliant smile and Sara gave her famous 'gap-toothed smile'. Greg looked at the men standing near him and grabbed his chest as if he was dying. He smiled at the women and shook his head. With the two beautiful women's radiant smiles, in a word, he was bliss. Anna shook her head as she turned around and began to talk to Sara.
This didn't stop Greg's comments, now he was focus on her back side. Nick saw Greg's stare and he reached over and slapped him upside the back of his head. Greg looked at him confused.
Nick and Grissom shook their heads and David walked up towards them. "Hi Everybody. Sorry I'm late Grissom." He looked over at Sara and smiled. She returned it. "Hi Sara." He greeted in about the same bliss as Greg. Sara chuckled and Anna turned around. The two stared at each other in shock.
"David Phillips?" She said smiling.
"Anna Delmarco?" He replied as two grins filled their faces as David wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug.
"David! Oh my Gosh!" He let go of her but still stood close to her. Nick glared at the younger man, but didn't seem to see it. "I haven't seen you since- Well…" She let the memory trail off and they both blushed.
"You know David?" Nick asked but they didn't hear him.
"Remember the old guy in the underwear?" David recalled scrunching his face. Anna laughed and shook her head.
"Ugh! I was trying not to!" They shared another laugh.
"How do you two know each other?" Grissom asked. They turned to face him and answer his question, but Regan's shrill cheer of happiness interrupted them.
"David!" She ran towards him and he knelt down to capture her in a hug.
"Raggs!" He hugged her and she hung onto his neck tightly.
"David, you're the coroner here?" Regan asked astounded.
"You are? I thought you headed to Boston?" Anna questioned confused. David looked at her and nodded.
"I did, I finished up college and then headed back down here…I tried to find you but uh…I didn't have much luck." David explained and Anna nodded.
"Oh yeah, Jen mentioned that to me."
"You know Jennifer too?" Nick asked and looked at David and he nodded.
"She introduced Annie Lee and I."
"Wait, you call her Annie Lee too? How did you know about that?" Nick asked becoming annoyed that he was out of the loop. He crossed his arms across his chest and narrowed his gaze on David.
"Who's 'Annie Lee'?" Sara asked confused.
"Isn't that what Jennifer calls you Anna?" Greg asked.
"Yes." She answered.
"Again, how do you know about 'Annie Lee'?" Nick inquired, becoming aggravated.
"And what's the story behind it?" Sara asked.
"David was the one that came up with it. Well, he and Jen did." Anna clarified. "When I told my friends at the diner my full name, Annaleesa, they miss pronounced it and called me Annie-Lisa."
"So how is it pronounced?" Grissom asked.
Anna smiled, "Anna-Leez-ah." Grissom nodded and pondered this for a moment.
"What origin is that?" He solicited quizzically.
"Her mother was Greek and her father was Roman/Italian." David answered automatically and Anna smiled at him.
"So back to the nickname thing, I thought Jen came up with that four years ago?" The confused Texan replied.
"She did." David answered, and Nick's intense stare caused him to move his eyes from the Texan to the ground.
"So…"
"So Davy and I kept in touch for a while." Anna put her hands on her hips and narrowed her glare on Nick. "Is that okay with you?" She raised her eyebrow and the group looked between the two and the mounting friction building in their eyes. David shifted uncomfortably; as did Regan who was still in his arms.
"Why wouldn't it be? You didn't have to consult me about any of your other boyfriends." Nick countered.
"You're right, I didn't."
"It doesn't bother me."
"Well if it doesn't then why are you so interested?" She asked in a soft voice…but the edge and irritation was evident.
"I'm not." He rebutted in the same voice Anna had used. "I just don't understand the story, that's all."
"Well now that I've cleared it all up you should be fine." She snapped and Nick's cold brown eyes met and locked with her fierce green ones.
"I'm gonna go take a look at the body." David stated to escape from the tension. "Raggs, why don't you go talk with Officer Brass?" He took Regan by the hand as the adults continued their stare-down.
Anna and Nick didn't acknowledge his withdrawal from the circle they had formed. "I should go take notes." Greg excused himself and scurried off after them.
"Grissom and I need to go." Sara replied lamely.
"We do?" Grissom asked confused. He had no idea of the privacy to argue the young couple required to abstain from embarrassing themselves in public.
"Yes, we do." Sara turned to leave and Grissom followed her.
Nick and Anna were left alone by the bleachers.
"What's your problem?" Anna asked in disbelief.
"My problem?"
"Yes your problem. I was just talking with an old friend and you were being an ass to him."
"Oh so defending you was being an ass?"
"Defending me- from what!" She shouted and drew the attention of a few spectators. Nick looked around and took Anna's hand to lead her to a spot underneath the bleachers. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Anna sighed also in frustration and folded her arms across her chest. "What's up with you Nick?"
Nick was quiet for a moment and then he dragged his gaze up to meet hers. "I…I'm from Texas."
"That's hardly an excuse." He gave a pleading look and she sighed and silenced herself. "Sorry."
"I'm from Texas…and my Mama was protective of her children…she raised us to be that way. Sure she taught us to share but…she always taught us to defend ourselves and the ones we cared about."
Anna paused to make sure he was finished. "Okay…but at what point in the conversation did it occur to you that I might need to be defended? Or were you just running on testosterone from earlier at the diner?"
Nick gave a guilty look. "It didn't. And yes…sort of."
Anna took in a deep breath. "Okay…"
"Well, when she taught us to defend ourselves and the ones we cared about…the lesson was translated into 'be protective and…domineering if need be'."
"Well…if that's the case then we're gonna have problems."
Nick eyes widened and he felt culpability wash over him. /-/ Damnit…Dad warned me about ruining this and I still did. He said I had to be careful. That's all I was trying to do…I didn't want to think about anyone else with Anna…damn the need to dominate. /-/ Nick silently cursed.
"What are you thinking about?" Anna asked knowing the in-depth explanation was still in his mind…she could practically see the wheels in his head turning.
"Nothing."
"Nick…"
"I was just thinking…I had help in deciding to ask you on our date." Nick began and Anna raised her eyebrow. "I talked to my Dad…he warned me not to mess this up. Because it wouldn't only be hurting us…it'd hurt Regan too. As if hurting you wasn't enough to worry about, I would never want to do anything to cause Regan any emotional harm…same for you."
She sighed and shifted her weight to the other foot. "Nick, I know you're gonna mess this up."
A look of sheer pain crossed Nick's face and he felt as though he had just been punched in the gut. "Oh." Nick replied softly. He couldn't remember feeling this betrayed in a long time.
Anna sighed and rolled her eyes. "Oh, calm down and wipe that looked off your face and let me finish. I know you're gonna mess this up eventually, and so will I. We're both gonna screw up and piss the other one off and do something stupid, it's the inevitable."
"It's like Shakespeare says, 'the course of true love never did run smooth.'" Nick quoted. He had remembered when Brass had commented that to Sara to relieve her pain of another sting from Grissom.
"Exactly, we're both gonna piss each other off and we'll fight, I doubt you'll piss me off enough to were we'll separate for good…I think you know what those 'for instances' are." Anna stated and Nick nodded. "So why are you gonna walk on egg shells around me? How did you not know this? You've dated half of Vegas' women."
"Uh…I didn't exactly date them as much as…"
"Romance them." Greg supplied from the bleachers above them. He was sitting next to Grissom, Sara, Brass, Regan, and David…all of whom were listening to the young couple argue.
"Yeah." Nick answered and gestured to the people that sat above them. Anna looked up and rolled her eyes. Nick gave a small smile.
"So that means…"
"He basically hasn't had a 'relationship' that's lasted longer than a tic tac. Or a-"
"Thank you Sara." Nick interrupted her and Anna rolled her eyes again. /-/ Oh no…I'm workin with a newbie…eh, at least he's Southern and has an innate sense of gentleman-ly-ness about him already. /-/ Anna thought. She sighed and rubbed her head while glancing at Nick's worried face.
"So…I get to teach you then. Lucky for you I like you and I have a lot of patience." She joked and stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. He did the same with her and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome…and don't freak out about trying not to piss me off. No offense to you, it will eventually happen."
Nick ducked his head quickly but then looked her in the eye once again and nodded. She gave a small yet reassuring smile and he returned it. She laid her head on his chest and he set his chin atop her head. They both sighed, in unison, in satisfaction.
"Awwww." The group above them chorused. Nick and Anna looked up and Nick scowled while Anna chuckled.
Sara looked at the couple below her in conjecture. She smiled, "Nick looks content." She stated absently.
"Did you know that the dictionary defines 'contentment' as 'a state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be'?" Regan asked. Sara looked over at her with an eyebrow raised. Regan didn't meet her gaze, she was still focused on Nick and Anna. "Meaning that 'he's okay with what he has until he finds something better.'"
"Well…I'm never using that word again." Sara joked and Regan chuckled.
"Hey, Regan," Greg began and Sara and Regan looked over at him. "You know a lot of words in the dictionary right?"
Regan shrugged. "I guess."
"A lot? Please! She knows every word in Websters' Dictionary…we proved it this morning!" Nick shouted.
Greg looked down at them in mock-offense. "Excuse me, I'm trying to have a conversation. It's rude to eavesdrop and butt-in." Greg replied mock-pompously. He rolled his eyes and flipped the invisible hair off his shoulder. Sara and Regan chuckled and shook their heads.
A few moments later, a white tennis shoe came flying up from behind the bleachers and hit Greg in the head. He kept a straight face and didn't move at all. Sara and Regan threw themselves into a giggle fit while David, Brass, and Grissom simply laughed and shook their heads.
"I take it my shoe hit Greg?" Anna asked.
"Nice arm girl!" Sara exclaimed.
"You hit Greggo from all the way down there!" Brass questioned in incredulity. "You're very dexterous." He complimented.
"Thank you."
"She used to play softball." David relayed and Brass nodded in realization.
"Hello! Can I get back to my question?" Greg asked and Regan nodded.
"Yes?"
"Alright, if you had to describe me in one word-"
"Zealot." Nick replied.
"Facetious." David supplied.
"Neurotic." Anna answered.
"Distinctive." Sara smiled.
"Infantile." Brass scoffed.
"Wag." Grissom responded
"What?" Anna and Brass chorused.
"What's a 'wag'?" Nick and David asked.
"Did you make that up?" Sara questioned.
"I don't like the sound of that." Greg pouted.
"No, it means a humorous person, a wit, or a joker." Regan informed them all. They looked at her stunned.
"You really do know all the words in the English language don't you?" Greg inquired in astonishment.
Brass scoffed, "You doubted her?"
"Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted…if you could describe me in one word, and a nice one, what would it be?" Greg asked.
"Oh gee, a nice word…well that cuts down half my choices." Regan joked. Everyone except Greg laughed. He merely rolled his eyes.
"Ha ha, come on. I'm serious."
"Serious! That sure ain't a word used to describe him!" Brass joked. Everyone laughed again and Greg sighed.
"Please?"
"Okay, okay…if I had to describe you…in one word…it would be…gregarious."
"Ooh! Nice one!" They all complimented.
"Yeah, it explains where he got his name…Greg, gregarious."
"Yeah." They all agreed.
"Why'd you wanna know?" Anna asked. "That sounds like something you'd ask if you were filing out a dating application."
Everyone looked over at Greg as he blushed deep red. They all laughed and mocked him good-naturedly. Anna laughed and looked back to Nick, and his gaze met hers.
She saw the wheels turning in his head and suddenly he smiled. "You thinkin what I'm thinkin?" Nick asked.
Anna bit her lower lip and smiled while looking up at Greg. "I think so."
"Is she off work yet?"
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Al's Diner
Tuesday
May 10, 2004
4:16 p.m.
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"I'm off work Mac. My shift's over. I'll see ya later hon." Jen informed him as she stepped outside the diner.
"Bye Jens!"
She hooked her purse on her arm and saw Anna and Nick pull up to the curb. "Jens, wanna come over for dinner? Grissom, Sara, Catherine, Warrick, Greg, and Brass are comin over for a get together." Anna asked her friend.
"You're throwing a get together…why?"
Anna shrugged, looked behind her and motioned for Jen to come closer. "Regan made a friend and I wanted her over for diner. But Regan is shy, so if she's surrounded by a bunch of people she's comfortable with she should be fine…plus if the night goes to hell she can always hang out with Dr. Grissom." Anna whispered and Jennifer laughed.
"Okay. I'll be there."
"Great, diner will be ready at six. But you can come over before that to 'socialize' as Nick calls it." Anna replied and Nick rolled his eyes.
"You make it sound like a crazy thing." Nick stated and Anna looked over at him and nodded.
"That's because it is."
"Yeah, Annie Lee never has people in her house…how'd you get her to do it?" Jennifer asked. She looked at their blank faces and got the wrong idea. Jennifer smiled deviously. "Oooohh, I get it. You bribed her." She chuckled. "Nice." Anna rolled her eyes as Nick blushed. "When would be too early to come over…I don't want to walk in on the other half of the bargain."
Anna swatted Jennifer's arm and she laughed. "You got a ride home?" Anna asked.
"Yeah, I got a cab."
"Alright," Anna pulled the car away from the curb. "Don't be late." She warned. Jennifer waved them away and climbed into the cab that had just pulled up.
"Where to?" The cabbie asked.
"1520 Bartow Drive." Jennifer answered as the cabbie pulled away and started their journey.
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Delmarco Residence
Guest Room
4:21 p.m.
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"Jillian," Bill sighed. "I'm drawing the line here. I will not allow this." He gestured with his hands to show his emphasis.
"Bill-"
"Jill, no. I'm putting my foot down. This has to stop."
"Bill, just here me out." Jillian asked sitting down on the comfortable mattress while trying to persuade her husband to agree with her.
"NO. No more."
"Bill, I have to. I have to-"
"Jillian." He said firmly.
She sighed in defeat. "FINE…you can wear a different shirt." She rolled her eyes and threw down her favorite of his shirts, also known as the one he despised the most.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome…you big baby."
Bill rolled his eyes and threw the horrid shirt at her head playfully. She scoffed and ignored him while he chuckled and rummaged through his clothes for something to wear.
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Delmarco Residence
4:35 p.m.
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Nick walked into the living room to see Regan sitting in front of the television watching the Discovery Channel. He stopped to see a special about fire ants was on, however; Regan didn't seem to be paying much attention to it. The seven year old seemed to be fretting over something in her own little world. "Regan?" When she didn't answer Nick stepped up to the back of the couch and laid his hand on her head. "Regan?"
"Huh? What?" She turned to face him and he frowned and leaned his elbows over the back of the couch.
"What's wrong lil' lady?"
Regan sighed and turned to face him. "Do you think I'm weird?"
"No." Nick replied automatically.
"Are you sure?"
"100 positive." He answered in a confident tone as he walked around the couch and sat next to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and she cuddled up to his strong side and sighed.
"Nick…"
"Yes sweetheart?" He drawled.
"What if my potential friend doesn't like me?"
Nick chuckled at her wording and paused for a moment, "What is your 'potential' friend's name?"
Regan paused. "Elizabeth." She answered.
"Well you are one lucky girl because it is a proven fact that if you are named Regan and know someone named Elizabeth, the two of you will be friends forever."
"That's crap." Regan accused and Nick chuckled as Regan sat up and looked at him. "Well even if that is true it doesn't matter because that isn't my real name."
"What?"
"That isn't my real name…my real name is Lena-Eyatra. My middle name is Regan."
Nick furred his eyebrows and shifted so that he was fully facing Regan. "Your real name?" Regan nodded and looked at the television again. "Why does Anna call you 'Regan'?"
Regan looked back at Nick and shook her head. "I don't know. I've asked her before but she normally just shrugs it off or answers that she liked the sound of 'Regan' better. She says it sounds more American."
"Why would she want it to sound more American?"
Regan shrugged and Nick watched as the girl went back to sitting next to him, comfortably watching the Discovery Channel. After a few minuets Nick looked over at Regan to see the little girl immersed in the production about the ants. Nick slipped from the couch and began to walk through the house.
He could smell the food Anna had left to cook in the kitchen and he smiled.
He had been searching for Anna when he was stopped by Regan, and now he was continuing his search. He stopped in the dining room and looked around him. He sighed and looked out the sliding doors to see Anna standing on the docks; looking out on the lake.
He smiled and walked to the door and opened it. He walked out across the lawn and opened the fence gate; all the while Anna's form slowly growing larger. He stopped when he reached the sand and kicked off his sandals. He picked them up and continued walking to her. He climbed the dock's ladder and stood at the back of the walkway.
Anna sensed he was behind her and she turned to face him. He felt his breath being taken away as he saw her. She was dressed simply and had a small amount of makeup on…but she looked gorgeous.
Her brown hair was in thick curls as it descended down her back and a lone curl fell into her eye. She had soft makeup on that accented the green of her eyes, the natural blush in her cheeks, and her rosy red lips. She wore a white knit sweater with a slit down the front and half hoodie in the back; covering her baby pink, pearl pink, pink, and white stripe band bottom V-neck top. A flowing knee length pearl pink skirt covered her long legs and her feet were bare with a pearl pink pedicure.
"Wow." Nick replied and she gave a crooked smile. She took her pearl pink manicured finger and pushed the curl from out of her eye and looked at him in a flirty/shy way. Nick felt himself falling…literally.
"Nick!" She yelled as he fell off the docks and landed in the sand beneath them. "Nick!" She yelled again and jumped off the dock and landed next to him. "Are you okay?" She brushed the bangs off his forehead and looked at him worriedly.
He looked at her blankly as though he didn't know how he had gotten down there. Suddenly, he began to laugh. She looked at him for a moment, and then joined in on the senselessness. The laughter died down and Nick looked at her for a moment. "I think I fell head over feet for you." He said in awe and gave a small, crooked smile.
She gave one back and quickly looked at his lips, but then back to his eyes. An air of seriousness covered them and Anna leaned down, and Nick pushed himself slightly up. Their lips locked and Nick felt himself falling…figuratively.
It was a small, simple kiss…but it rocked Nick's world. She pulled slightly and gave a smile with her eyes still closed. Nick opened his eyes and looked at her as her eyes slowly opened. "Whoa."
Nick smiled wider, "I know."
"That wasn't like a make out kiss, but…"
"It was awesome." She finished.
"Yeah." Nick breathed and she laughed.
"Hmm." She looked behind her at the sunset and the gentle hum of the soft rolling waves, the soft sand beneath them. Nick breathed in her scent…vanilla. "I think maybe it's the scenery."
"Or maybe it's that you smell so good." Nick moaned and she chuckled.
"Maybe…but how would my scent do anything for me?"
"Hmm…good point…maybe it's my sexiness." Nick said thoughtfully and she swatted his arm. "Yes…defiantly my sexiness."
"But once again, how would your sexiness do anything for you?"
"Well…" He gestured to himself. "How could this not make ya…?" He wiggled his eyebrows and she shoved him slightly.
"Shut up." She laughed.
"Make me." He teased and she leaned in and kissed him gently. She pulled away and smiled.
"Now we both know you set that kiss up. Always a planner Stokes?" She questioned flirty and he cocked his head.
"Always an observer Delmarco?"
"Yes." A woman's voice answered and the pair looked up to see Jennifer. "Now, I know I said have fun…but I meant in the privacy of Anna's house…out of sight. I know Nick's cocky and loves to show himself off, no pun intended. And let's be realistic, he's hot, you're hot…but I mean come on!"
They laughed as Anna stood up, "Trust me…he knows he's hot."
Nick laughed and stood up. "How could he not?" Jen joked and Anna smirked…suddenly realization hit her.
"Jen…is Nick the sexy graveyard hunk you wanted to, and I quote, 'cover in chocolate syrup and ravage on top of the diner's tables.'…?" Anna asked as Jennifer turned beat red as Nick's jaw dropped and he blushed a lovely shade of rouge. Anna laughed at their expressions and shook her head as she walked away. Nick couldn't look Jen in the eye as he followed Anna into her house.
Anna walked through the dinning room and into the kitchen. She glanced towards the living room and saw Regan on the couch. She caught Regan's eye and she looked over and smiled. Anna returned it and opened the oven to check on the food. "Hey…whacha doin Toots?"
"Just watchin television."
"Are you ready for dinner?"
"You mean I have to dress nice?"
Anna chuckled. "Well save your fancy gown for the Pope, but something nice would be good."
"Alright." Regan answered and got up off the couch to go and change. Anna kissed her head as she walked by. Regan smiled and Anna continued cooking. Nick folded his arms across his chest lazily as he leaned against the refrigerator and watched the display of affection.
"Awww. How sweet." He mocked and Anna chuckled. "Need any help?"
"Nope…why don't you go watch television?"
Nick smiled and puffed out his chest. "Yes, because that's the manly thing to do." He mocked in a deep baritone voice. Anna chuckled as he walked to the couch and flipped the station to football.
After a few minuets Nick wandered back into the kitchen and leaned on the island and watched Anna cook. She went about her ways until she felt someone staring at her. She turned around to see Nick leaning on the counter, watching her intently. She smiled at him and put her hands on her hips and cocked her head. "Why aren't you watching football?"
"I don't wanna." Nick whined in a little kid's voice. Anna chuckled.
"Aww." She walked over to him and he slid his arms around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Did you get lonely all the way in the living room?" She joked and Nick pouted and nodded. "Aww…my poor baby."
He chuckled and shook his head. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and sighed. She giggled profusely and pulled away from him. He smiled and looked at her confused. "What?"
"I have an abnormally ticklish neck. That's why I always wear my hair up; the slightest touch sends me into a fit of giggles." She informed him and he approached her again and began kissing the ticklish spot on her neck. She arched her back and tried to push him away, but failed because he was sucking the strength from her as he kissed her neck. She laughed, and giggled, and screamed playfully as Nick held her closer and began to breathe heavily and kiss and lick her neck. "Ahhhh! Oh my GOD that tickles!" She gasped between fits of giggles. "Stop!" She pleaded and Nick shook his head which only tickled her more. She continued to try and wiggle from his grasp but the tickling didn't stop. Until she accidentally kneed him…
There.
She gasped in horror and Nick sucked in a breath in pain. His face went red and he released her. He fell to his knees and she knelt next to him. "Oh my God Nick! I am soooo sorry!"
He bit his lip to keep from screaming profanities for fear of embarrassing Anna, alerting Regan and disgracing his mother. He grunted a barley audible, "Its okay."
"Oh my GOD! I'm sorry!" She sat there not knowing what to do and Nick sighed, his face still beat red. He sighed after a few minuets and looked up to her guilty face. "I am so sorry." She breathed.
He shook his head. "It's fine." He tried to stand up but winced in pain.
"No it's not! You can't even stand."
"Yes I can." Nick lied and tried to stand…he finally fell and gasped.
"No you can't!"
He sighed, "Ugh…I'll be fine…this is happened before."
"Has it been this bad?"
"Um….no."
"Oh, Nicky." She whined and he shook his head, the pain had almost subsided…if he was still.
"Darlin I'm fine. I promise…I'll just be here for a few minuets." She pouted guiltily and he sighed. "Darlin…"
She sighed. "Okay…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to break Little Nicky."
"Nah, you didn't break him. He'll be okay…but I may need to exercise him." He wiggled his eyebrows and she gave a playful glare.
"Wow, you must be dizzy and disoriented if your thinkin that." She joked.
"Oh, good burn."
"Thank you."
"Well…I think I can stand." He put his hand on the edge of the counter and tried to pull himself up. It took him a few minuets and Anna's assistance, but he finally stood and sighed. "See…all better."
She gave an uncertain look and he smiled at her and leaned in to kiss her. She still had her arms across her chest, but she gave up and wrapped them around his neck. His hand came off the counter and found its way to the small of her back and eased her closer. He brought his other arm around her waist and held her to him.
The kiss was more passionate then the one they had shared outside, her lips parted and allowed his tongue access. She toyed with the ends of his hair and smiled slightly. He pulled away and looked at her. "What?"
She smiled and shook her head, "You were serious about that 'exercise' thing huh?"
Nick chuckled and shook his head. "No, I was jokin with ya."
"Uh huh." She joked; pretending as though she didn't believe him.
"Seriously, oh come on. If you were lookin at your lips all day long you'd want to kiss them constantly too." He replied and she giggled. She leaned in again and kissed him. This one copied the first. Nick pulled away and smiled accusingly. "I knew you couldn't resist me." He joked and rolled his eyes as though he couldn't help his sexiness. "I'm sorry, 'I'd turn down my sexiness…but I just don't know how!'" He quoted.
She gasped and smiled. "You watch That 70's Show too!"
"Guilty."
"You sounded just like Kelso when you said that."
"Except with a drawl."
"Which made it even sexier." She wiggled her eyebrows and he smiled.
"I knew it. You can't resist my body. 'I'm sorry you have to see me like this, I know this shirt compliments my muscles.'" Nick continued to joke.
She laughed and shoved him playfully. "Seriously, you sound just like him."
"Yeah…but I'm truly an Eric at heart."
"Really?" She asked and moved closer.
"Uh huh. A Star Wars lovin, next door neighbor crushin, geek."
Anna laughed, "You have a crush on Mrs. Jensen-Findel-Walker?"
"No! I mean right now…your room is right next to mine."
"Oh…I was gonna say, and you're not a lanky geek."
"Alright…I'm like Eric's personality with Kelso's body."
"A dangerous combination." She joked. "Well I'm Donna's personality with Jackie's body."
"Naw, you're ass is much nicer…and I'm not just sayin that."
She laughed. "Well thank you. Isn't that funny…our personalities match the characters on the show and our looks do too."
"Yeah…it's almost like someone planned it like that." Nick replied.
"Yeah…like this was a book someone was writing and she randomly planned this…and hundreds of people were reading this and laughing…"
"Yeah…wouldn't that be funny." Nick thought.
"Yes. Well, go and get ready because everyone should be here soon."
"Yes ma'am." He saluted her and trotted off to the room he was staying in. Anna shook her head and went back to cooking.
A/N: Yes, it's very OOC for Grissom, Brass, and David to neglect the case and hang out on the bleachers while spying on Anna and Nick. But hey, it's my book and I'll do as I please:) :) :) Just kidding…but not really.
And I know, I know. Anna and David…weird huh? But hey, gotta love the twists.
Yes Jillian and Bill were arguing about what shirt he was going to wear. Yes I intended it like that. And no…Jill's not gonna be nice to Anna any time soon. In fact…we've just begun. But be honest, how irritated were you when ya'll thought Bill was gonna make Jill be nice and stop torturing Anna…and they were talkin about shirts? What, did you think I'd let her off the hook that easy? Heck no. We've got a lot more to go my Little Miracles (ba dum bum).
And yeah, the last scene was a joke…it wasn't that funny…but it made Tigger and I laugh, so I kept it in there.
Moreover…new couples are peeking their noses over the horizon of the story and emerging from the gray…who are they? Will they make it? How will it affect everyone? Well read and find out. But first…
Furthermore…our little couple's relationship is up for a few bricks in the road of their journey. To quote Shakespeare, The course of true love never did run smooth.
Also, some secrets are revealed about several characters…and someone else knows just how to tweak those nerves and make them uncomfortable about those secrets.
There will be a surprise appearance from someone mentioned in Chapter 4 (and now you're gonna flip back to the other chapter to see who ya'll forgot about…) …Oh the madness to follow…
FYI! I have a new chapter book starting up soon. Keep an eye out for it:)
-Chella Belle
R&R&R&R&R&R&R&R&R&&R&R&!
